F-117 retirement: mistake or correct decision?

[FLYBOYJ]

I imagine that F-15E and Super Hornet and taking the bulk of the load.
But that when "stealth" is a must, then "stealthy" assests are being or will be used.

And right now there aren't too many real would threats that would require a strike aircraft to evade advanced radar systems. Also keep in mind that aircraft like the F-15E and Superhornet will have the assistance of ECM aircraft that can blind an enemy's radar. When aircraft like the F-22 and F-35 become fully operational, that will just assure "an ace in the hole" until technology catches up to those aircraft.

 

[gjs238]

I'm not trying to provoke an argument, but historically many threats, or lack of threats, have been miscalculated, with only hindsight being 20/20.
It seems there is a degree of increased risk with the current capability gap.
Whether that risk is acceptable or unacceptable, right or wrong is certainly debatable and I hope the right judgment calls have been made.
Regardless, there seems to be a degree of increased risk.

I suppose one can mitigate this increased risk, the retirement of a hammer, by using a sledgehammer until the new hammer is available.

 

[Waynos]

Don't forget UCAV's such as the Lockheed Polecat or, more likely, the Boeing Phantom Ray can perform the F-117's mission too. The former had been in use for some time before it was revealed, the second is, as yet, a demonstrator in the same mould as the BAE Taranis but, I'll' wager, further developed thanks to X plane experience. The F-117, by today's perspective, is a big and expensive way to do not-very-much.

 

[gjs238]

Yes, those are some of the "stealthy assests" I had in mind earlier.

 

[FLYBOYJ]

I'm not trying to provoke an argument, but historically many threats, or lack of threats, have been miscalculated, with only hindsight being 20/20.
It seems there is a degree of increased risk with the current capability gap.
Whether that risk is acceptable or unacceptable, right or wrong is certainly debatable and I hope the right judgment calls have been made.
Regardless, there seems to be a degree of increased risk.

Perhaps - but right now I don't see a real risk by the USAF by not having a stealth strike fighter available. Keep in mind as well that if a risk were to emerge in the near future, the entire F-35 program can be easily accelerated, but at a cost.

 

[FLYBOYJ]

Don't forget UCAV's such as the Lockheed Polecat or, more likely, the Boeing Phantom Ray can perform the F-117's mission too. The former had been in use for some time before it was revealed, the second is, as yet, a demonstrator in the same mould as the BAE Taranis but, I'll' wager, further developed thanks to X plane experience. The F-117, by today's perspective, is a big and expensive way to do not-very-much.

Right now these aircraft are perfect for addressing current threats.