Retired But Not Grounded: Why the USAF Will Keep Flying the F-117 Nighthawk Until 2034
The Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk, the world's first operational stealth aircraft, was officially retired by the U.S. Air Force in 2008 but continues to fly. The USAF has confirmed plans to maintain a fleet of these jets in service until at least 2034. These 'retired' aircraft are primarily used as adversary assets in advanced training exercises, simulating stealth threats for modern fighters like the F-22 and F-35. They also serve as testbeds for developing and evaluating new counter-stealth technologies and other research projects. Flown by contract pilots from the Tonopah Test Range in Nevada, the F-117's unique radar signature provides a realistic and invaluable training tool for current and future generations of pilots.
Official Source: https://simpleflying.com/why-usaf-quietly-flying-retired-f-117-stealth-jets-2034/