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10/28/2006 - HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AFPN) -- After 25 years of storied service, the F-117 Nighthawk, the Air Force's first stealth fighter, is about to retire. The technology that once made it a unique weapon system has now caught up to it and newer fighter aircraft are now joining the fleet. Still, the Nighthawk was the first of its kind, a fact anyone who has spent time around the aircraft is quick to point out.
Many of these people were gathered here Oct. 29 to commemorate 25 years of Nighthawk history at the Silver Stealth ceremony. Members of the F-117 community, past and present, were on hand to pay homage to the aircraft's illustrious history, a history that contains as many secrets as it does legends.
More info and pics:http://www.af.mil/news/story_media.a...ryID=123030185
I think it could launch an AAM from the weapons-bay. I think that is why it got the F- designation. I think it was intended to have a dual-purpose of attacking high priority air-defence targets as well as being able to sneak in and take out enemy AWACs capability. When the aircraft flew in the 1980s it was still possible that the Cold War could turn into a Hot War. I have heard that the B-2 Spirit can also launch AAMs from the weapons-bay too. I know that the B-2s and F-117s are intended to neutralize any ground-based threats from vehicle-launched ICBMs... I think though that being able to launch an AAM is a matter of having the right electronics and I know that the electronics of the F-117 and B-2 are intended to be able to launch a large variety of weapons...
If I recall correctly the F designation was originated in the Have Blue program and it stuck.
Hey I get one with FBJ!!! And I made that sh!t up.
Just kidding.
Could be, but I really did think that there was something in the avionics that meant it could launch ATA missiles if necessary.