Farewell to the F-117

[IVIaster]

Ha, I laugh at your puny technology when I blast it to kingdom to come with my AA-battery which Im currently training for.

[Labcoatguy]

It sure took me a while to understand why you were talking about AA batteries in the context of.... oh, those AA batteries.

[sonza68]

Originally Posted by Silverstar

Thought I'd show what I'm reading





I think it's a great enyclopedia, very good images and statistics to go along with the information of aircraft and wars they were involved with.

That is one of the books in my collection. Of the ones I've finished reading, it was one of the better ones.

[Blayde]

That's a nice book Silverstar, wish we had a good selection.

Mine sorts by year and gives a summary at the end of each plane like general armaments, weight, loadout and such.

[Blind_Io]

Here's some of the books in my library. There are more I need to retrieve from Salt Lake when I return. (Image orientation is intentional - no need to support your local chiropractor)

[Blayde]

Originally Posted by Blind_Io

:p

btw, two of your pics arent showing

edit: just noticed the Toronto Bay published book, I have the Encyclopaedia of classic cars from them

[Yaco]

I think the F22 isnt as good at being quiet on the radar as the F117 but with the speeds and the way it moves... it wouldn't matter.

By the way, can anyone tell me what the differences are with the JSF (Joint Strike Fighter or Lockheed X-35) and the F22? Isn't the biggest difference that the JSF can go STOVL (short takeoff, vertical landing)?

[Blind_Io]

Don't forget, the F-117 is the first stealth aircraft - we have come a long way in geometry and materials. Everything I have hear is that the F-22 is at least as stealthy as the Nighthawk, if not more. The exact numbers are, of course, classified.

[Yaco]

Yeah, true, but I think heard something about how the F22 was using a coating, where the F117 or maybe the B2 uses a "plastic" skin of some sorts. I am unsure because I was like 10 when I watch the show and asked my dad...

Originally Posted by Blind_Io

The exact numbers are, of course, classified.

Also thats probably the biggest problem, we are discussing something that is and will be for another 20 years classified; no way to tell whats better other hoping the brass are signing up for better stuff.

[Blind_Io]

With the cuts in military spending post-Cold War, the Brass is not eager to blow their budget on technology that doesn't work. It's bad PR, it's bad for appropriations and it's bad for recruitment.

[FATMOUSE]

Originally Posted by Yaco

I think the F22 isnt as good at being quiet on the radar as the F117 but with the speeds and the way it moves... it wouldn't matter.

Considering a guided missile is faster and can pull more g's than an F22, it's better off just not being seen.

[Yaco]

Well, what I mean is atleast it would be hard to get a lock on.... but as you said that should be a last resort. Remember its main role is an fighter plane, so hopefully SAMs don't play as big of a role as enemy fighters.

Also I believe that stealth was more of a primary goal with the F117 like it was practically a B2 prototype with fighter capabilities and the F22 was more of a highspeed war-at-your-door attack plane replacing the F14/F15 right? I don't know... just what I thought to believe.

[Blind_Io]

+ YouTube Video

/obligatory

Originally Posted by Yaco

Well, what I mean is atleast it would be hard to get a lock on.... but as you said that should be a last resort. Remember its main role is an fighter plane, so hopefully SAMs don't play as big of a role as enemy fighters.

Also I believe that stealth was more of a primary goal with the F117 like it was practically a B2 prototype with fighter capabilities and the F22 was more of a highspeed war-at-your-door attack plane replacing the F14/F15 right? I don't know... just what I thought to believe.

Uh, no. SAMS are a very real threat in any engagement, AAA and SAM missiles were a threat in both Iraqi wars, in Lebanon, Vietnam, Korea, Panama, Cuba and any place else in the world. The F-117 was never an air to air fighter. It doesn't carry air-to-air missiles and it never has. It has no targeting radar and no gun. It was designed and conceived as a ground-attack aircraft. I will have to check my books, but I think the F- designation was to throw off any potential espionage and to get funding - Congress at the time was more willing to give money to a new "fighter" but not a light ground-attack aircraft. Most planes were moving to a more multi-role design and the F-117 didn't fit that paradigm. The B-2 was not even a glimmer in the Pentagon's eye at the time of the F-117's development, in fact, Ben Rich faced incredible opposition when it came to stealth technology. Without the F-117 making stealth acceptable and proven the B-2 would never have been built and we would have a fleet of B-1As.

The F-22 does not replace the F-14. The Tomcat is an airborne missile platform and high speed interceptor, while it can dogfight, that is not the primary mission of the aircraft. The F-15 is a air superiority fighter and is closer to the F-22 in mission roles, however the F-22 can go places the F-15 can't and engage enemy aircraft in their own back yard despite the presence of AAA, SAMs and early warning radars. The Raptor can engage and destroy enemy aircraft before they even know they are being targeted.

[Yaco]

Ook, ok! Hahahaha, I get the point, top priority is not to be seen, alright, hahaha -good video. I just believed that it was too hard, even in present-day, to keep a fighter that is that fast and capable of having that good of stealth.... but I'll just shut up because I'm not a woman and thus I wasn't born to win arguments.

Hehehe.