F-117 Death valley

[mdobuk21]

My first ever visit to Lakenheath was 4/2/94, we saw x6 F117 depart for home woth two SJ KC10 support! What a morning that was!

Mark

[Micky S]

Reading that the Nighthawk has been seen out again but this time sporting aggressor markings. very interesting!

[James Cutting]

Source from above comment:

https://combataircraft.keypublishing.co ... -revealed/

[PeteHemsley]

Doesn't seem to be aggressor markings. More like individual panels changed that probably have sensors etc fitted. After all, this aircraft is still flying under testing......

[2e1var]

To quote from the Combat Aircraft article linked above.....The F-117s are officially being kept in Type 1000 storage, indicating that they are maintained in a status from which they could be recalled to active service, should the need arise. Type 1000 aircraft are termed ‘inviolate’, meaning they have a high potential to return to flying status and no parts may be removed from them. The USAF states that the aircraft can be reactivated within 30 to 120 days depending upon how long the particular aircraft has been in storage.
This testing & flight-exercising in no way requires 2 x F-16 wingmen, therefore it's highly likely that the flight combination allows testing of radar cloaking the F-117 from airborne or ground-based tracking equipment. Remember the B2 also requires F-15 escorts over the UK to make the B2 routing visible to radar . Same thing for Pigs that might fly!

I don't remember it having escorts when they were flying into Fairford (not RIAT) few years back ?

[Agent K]

Remember the B2 also requires F-15 escorts over the UK to make the B2 routing visible to radar . Same thing for Pigs that might fly!

Indeed! Of course in reality when Luneberg reflectors are fitted to whatever stealth type you've got your Primary radar returns covered and the aircraft will have transponders fitted to cover the secondary. No need for escorts!