In spite of all our differences, the one thing that binds all living creatures is that we each have an expiration date. This finality to our existence is what makes life special, something to be cherished and protected. But occasionally things can go terribly wrong…
Apr
3rd
Author: Taz |
Files under Aircraft, Casualties: High, Damage: High, War
The world’s first stealth fighter, the F-117, is retiring after 27 years of service in the U.S. Air Force. The fighter is retiring to free up money to modernize the fleet with the F-22 Raptor, also a stealth fighter. Fifty-nine F-117s were made; seven have crashed, one in Serbia in 1999.
The F-117 stealth technology was developed in the 1970s to fly into heavily-defended areas undetected and drop its payload with surgical precision. Although not invisible to radar, the F-117’s shape and reflective coating greatly reduced its detection.
An F-117 pilot said, “We knew stealth worked and it would take a lucky shot to hit us, but we knew a lucky shot could hit us at any time.” Incredibly, a stealth fighter has never been shot down.
