Summary: The F-117 Nighthawk, officially retired by the U.S. Air Force in 2008, continues to be an active presence in the skies, defying typical post-retirement procedures for military aircraft. Although stored initially at the Tonopah Test Range under conditions allowing reactivation, changes in policy in 2016 led to a gradual disposal of the fleet. However, these stealth jets are still employed for various purposes including adversary training, testing, and possibly supporting next-generation military technology development. Recent activities, such as the Air Force's request for ongoing maintenance support through 2034, indicate that a number of F-117s remain operational. This continued use highlights the unique capabilities and value of the F-117 in current defense strategies.

Decades After Retirement, Why the F-117 Nighthawk Still Dominates the Skies

The F-117 Nighthawk was retired from the U.S. Air Force (USAF) in 2008. Yet, unusually, the F-117 is still flown regularly, some sixteen years after being retired. Typically, when an airframe is retired from service, that airframe is mothballed, rarely, if ever, flown again. So, why is the F-117 still flying?

“16 years after being officially retired, F-117s are still flying not only for training purposes as adversary aircraft and cruise missile surrogate, but also for research, development, test and evaluation, possibly related to next generation programs,” The Aviationist reported.

Of course, the full parameters of the F-117’s current usage have not been disclosed to the public. But enough amateur footage has emerged to demonstrate concretely that the F-117 is still being flown.

Retired in 2008

The F-117 was retired in 2008, and, in accordance with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2007, fifty-two F-117 airframes were retired and sent to the Tonopah Test Range where the jets were preserved and stored in a condition that would allow them to be returned to service if needed. However, in 2016, the section of the NDAA that required mothballed jets to be preserved in a near-ready-to-fly condition was repealed. So, the USAF moved to begin disposing of its fleet of retired F-117s at a rate of four per year.

But sightings of the stealth jet continued, indeed accelerated, with reports that the F-117 had been deployed to several U.S. air bases for Dissimilar Air Combat Training against other active-duty airframes. And then, in 2001, the USAF released official images of the F-117 participating in flight operations on the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS).

Apparently, the F-117’s service life was not quite complete. “In September 2022 the Air Force Test Center published a Request For Information (RFI) about a possible 10-year contract for maintenance and logistics support services for the F-117A fleet at the [Tonopah Test Range] airfield, acknowledging that the U.S. Air Force is willing to keep the aircraft flying at least until 2034,” The Aviationist reported.

How many F-117s are still flying?

The precise number is F-117s still airworthy is unclear. Only fifty-nine F-117s were ever made, and just forty-five were still in the USAF’s inventory. More than ten had already been approved for transfer to museums. And the disposal rate has only been between two and three jets per year, rather than the four per year announced after the repeal of the NDAA’s preservation requirements. So, a few dozen F-117s are likely still airworthy. Good news for aviation enthusiasts who fondly remember the world’s first operational stealth aircraft.

Even today, decades after being introduced, the F-117 Nighthawk appears futuristic. Angular and painted black, the jet looks more like something from a Batman film than from the USAF inventory. Sightings are few and far between—and will likely diminish in frequency with time.

Notably, in October 2023, photographer Michal Rokita used a long-range zoom lens to capture footage of two F-117s operating from Tonopah. The footage is fantastic and not likely to be reproduced for much longer.

About the Author: Harrison Kass

Harrison Kass is a defense and national security writer with over 1,000 total pieces on issues involving global affairs. An attorney, pilot, guitarist, and minor pro hockey player, Harrison joined the US Air Force as a Pilot Trainee but was medically discharged. Harrison holds a BA from Lake Forest College, a JD from the University of Oregon, and an MA from New York University. Harrison listens to Dokken.

Images: The main image is from Shutterstock. All others are Creative Commons.