From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-117_Nighthawk
Despite its successes in the Kosovo and Iraq Wars and its high mission-capable rate, the F-117 was nonetheless designed with late 1970s technologies. Its stealth technology, while still more advanced than that of any other aircraft except the B-2 Spirit, F-22 and F-35, is maintenance heavy. Furthermore, the facet-based stealth design has been surpassed by newer technology. Program Budget Decision 720 (PBD 720), dated December 28, 2005, proposed retiring the entire fleet by October 2008 to allow for buying more F-22As. PBD 720 called for 10 aircraft to be retired in FY 2007 and the remaining 42 aircraft in FY 2008 and stated there were other more capable Air Force assets that could provide low observable, precision penetrating weapons capability including the B-2, F-22 and JASSM.[26]
By late 2006, the Air Force had closed the F-117 pilot school,[27] and announced the retirement of the F-117.[28]. The first six aircraft to be retired made the last flight on 12 March 2007 after a ceremony at Holloman AFB to commemorate the aircraft's storied career. Brigadier General David Goldfein, commander of the 49th Fighter Wing, said at the ceremony, "With the launch of these great aircraft today, the circle comes to a close - their service to our nation's defense fulfilled, their mission accomplished and a job well done. We send them today to their final resting place - a home they are intimately familiar with - their first, and only, home outside of Holloman."
They are incredibly difficult and expensive to maintain due to their RAM paint. the B2 and F-22 don't use the same paint and are cheaper to maintain and have more utility than simply 2 bombs.
Despite its successes in the Kosovo and Iraq Wars and its high mission-capable rate, the F-117 was nonetheless designed with late 1970s technologies. Its stealth technology, while still more advanced than that of any other aircraft except the B-2 Spirit, F-22 and F-35, is maintenance heavy. Furthermore, the facet-based stealth design has been surpassed by newer technology. Program Budget Decision 720 (PBD 720), dated December 28, 2005, proposed retiring the entire fleet by October 2008 to allow for buying more F-22As. PBD 720 called for 10 aircraft to be retired in FY 2007 and the remaining 42 aircraft in FY 2008 and stated there were other more capable Air Force assets that could provide low observable, precision penetrating weapons capability including the B-2, F-22 and JASSM.[26]
By late 2006, the Air Force had closed the F-117 pilot school,[27] and announced the retirement of the F-117.[28]. The first six aircraft to be retired made the last flight on 12 March 2007 after a ceremony at Holloman AFB to commemorate the aircraft's storied career. Brigadier General David Goldfein, commander of the 49th Fighter Wing, said at the ceremony, "With the launch of these great aircraft today, the circle comes to a close - their service to our nation's defense fulfilled, their mission accomplished and a job well done. We send them today to their final resting place - a home they are intimately familiar with - their first, and only, home outside of Holloman."
They are incredibly difficult and expensive to maintain due to their RAM paint. the B2 and F-22 don't use the same paint and are cheaper to maintain and have more utility than simply 2 bombs.
