El F-117 NIGHTHAWK sigue activo y puede haber estado en SIRIA en 2017

Ya en 2017, y sin que ninguna otra fuente lo haya hecho público hasta la fecha, Scramble recibió información muy fiable de que al menos cuatro F-117 se habían desplegado en Oriente Medio cuando surgió la necesidad operativa de que la USAF resucitara el F-117 sigiloso para fines especiales. Uno de los aviones desplegados se vio envuelto en una emergencia durante el vuelo y aterrizó lejos de su base de operaciones temporal, que probablemente se encontraba en Arabia Saudí, los Emiratos Árabes Unidos o Qatar.

Durante este despliegue extremadamente encubierto, los cuatro Halcones de la Noche volaron misiones sobre Siria e Irak con bombas de pequeño diámetro (SDBs).

Following our F-117 report from 2 March 2019 , that was published at our social media (Scramble Facebook News, Twitter and Instagram) and that went viral all over the world, we can now publish additional information.

But first, see the original Scramble Facebook News (SFN report in case you need a refresh of information:

https://www.facebook.com/Scramblemag...70767592949758)

Although (and of course) we will not reveal our sources, the following information has never been shared before (except for our Scramble magazine hardcopy - issue 479 - that was published yesterday).

Recent years have seen some peculiar facts related to the Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR), the combined operation to defeat ISIS/ Daesh, in and over Iraq and Syria. This operation was largely manned and staffed by USAF personnel, but allied nations were invited to join the operation. During the OIR heydays some 36 countries were involved.

Scramble has spoken to former OIR members (originating from at least two other countries than USA) and we can reveal that one F-117A made an emergency landing at the airbase of Ali Al Salem (AAS) in Kuwait during Q4/2016 (AAS is known as the nearest allied fixed wing airfield south of Iraq).

Ever since the beginning of being used by the US and allies, Ali Al Salem is renowned because of its secret spaces and hide-outs. This can evidently be seen on Google Earth. The above mentioned facts are (were) possibly the reasons for using AAS as a Nighthawk alternate or emergency landing base.

During the aforementioned landing, which occurred during dawn, the unfortunate Nighthawk was accompanied by its wingman. The latter did not land at AAS, but continued its route to its deployment base. This scene was seen by some lucky OIR personnel. One of these personnel managed to make a poor quality long distance iPhone-picture of the (chase) landing of the two birds followed by the broken aircraft standing at one of the tarmacs of AAS. Without any doubt, this was at AAS, as infrastructure characteristics and then deployed aircraft to AAS were clearly identified together with the broken F-117A.

We reported earlier about the Small Diameter Bombs (SDB) in combination with the Nighthawk missions. These weapons were possibly used in deliberate (moving) targeting, in that way the US could minimize casualties during their undisclosed missions deep into Syria in which other US aircraft were not selected (not even stealthy F-22s, maybe because it was too sensitive to send an expensive Raptor that deep into Assads territory). As the F-117s possibly returned due to unfinished business, the Nighthawks were also used over the densely populated Mosul area (with narrow streets and fortified bunkers) during the Battle of Mosul.

This sometimes very technical targeting, in combination with stealth (not necessary in Iraq) and slow speed, was something an F-22, F-15, B-1, B-52 and F-16 were not capable of doing.

As for the SDBs .... this is somewhat questionable if the F-117 indeed used this very smart and precise weapon. As far as we know, the one one seven was never certified for use of this weapon. Maybe that information is incorrect and like the way it goes... not all brands of Cola are Coca Cola, but many people order it like that. As the SDB was the weapon of choice in OIR, a verdict is done quite quickly. But .... there is also a possibiliy the F-117 was certified to use SDBs during their secretive test flights from Tonopah. And that makes also sence, as the stand-off range of an SDB is limited (some 60 miles), the stealth F-117s could fly closer to their targets in Assad territory - heavily guarded by a massive belt of air defense systems - do drop their weapons on a target.

As for the quantity of F-117As deployed. We have been told that there were at least four aircraft involved. The deployment base was most probably in Qatar or Saudi Arabia. We can confirm that they flew only during nighttime and strikingly, they used call sign: HELI. This name was most probably chosen as HELI gave less attention in the Air Tasking Order (ATO) of OIR that is observed by many military. As known, several (secretive) helicopter operations also took place throughout the whole OIR area of operations. Strikingly, the F-117 flight through Death Valley used LEHI as call-sign.

For now, with the vanishing of most terrorists (ISIS) from Iraqi and Syrian territory, it seems that the USAF found, once again, an opportunity to show the Nighthawk in the open. Flying low and slow buzzing Death Valley, with even a waving pilot in its office, the pilot knew he and his fantastic aircraft were watched and photographed by some very lucky people!

An educated guess of Scramble is that these out-in-the-open flights possibly could mean (again, it is just an educated guess) that the test-flights of the F-117s are ended and this was a kind of an unofficial farewell flight.

Hopefully, again more information will become available in the near future, and hopefully our educated guess is wrong!

Scramble editorial note: The owner of the iPhone is trustful. Unfortunately, he was not allowed to give us the pictures of AAS as scrupulous rules were given to all AAS and OIR personnel about the emergency landing at that time. (but we can assure you, although of poor quality, they looked adrenaline-kicking great!). Following the F-117s flights through Death Valley, the involved person consulted a high ranking OIR commander who gave permission to publish the aforementioned words.

Cita de kano636

Un diseño espectacular. Solo por eso ya merece la pena que vuelvan.

Cita de TE37

Que pasa porque siga activo?

Cita de Fisn0

Que oficialmente esta retirado pero se conservan en condiciones de vuelo por algún motivo... bastante secreto.

Cita de MillionSeven

Siempre me he preguntado hasta que punto estos "aviones invisibles" como el F117, B2, F22 y F35 son realmente efectivos.
Quitando el F22 que es una bestia parda, el resto sacrifican muchísimas cosas vitales como la maniobravilidad y la velocidad (a parte de lo caros que son) en pos de un sigilo que parece tan frágil ante los avances en radares..

Pero vamos, si después de tanto tiempo y guerras Estados Unidos sigue gastándose un dineral en las características stealth debe ser que funcionan.

Cita de TE37

Curioso, tendra alguna caracteristica que no tenga otro avion?

In other words, the F-117 is a known commodity to the DoD and the USAF, and this is especially true when it comes to the aircraft's unique radar, radio and infrared signature. In fact, I would not be surprised if the F-117 represents the most studied aircraft "signature" of all time. With this in mind, the F-117 could be theoretically used as something of a "flying measuring stick" for evaluating a radar system's ability to detect and track low-observable flying objects. Or conversely, it could be used as a surrogate to test new radar absorbent materials and coatings applied to its flat, facet like structure that was originally built to accept such applications.

By specifically utilizing the F-117 for such-real life tests and evaluations, defense program managers could have a control variable, in this case the F-117′s well documented radar cross-section, infrared and visual signature, and an independent variable for which to test upon it. That independent variable being an experimental radar absorbent material or other signature control application.

Testers of new signature control applications, such as an innovative new version of radar absorbent material (RAM), could leverage highly accurate real-life metrics and historical data collected throughout the life and development of the F-117. They can then fly their new application on the jet so that new data can be collected for which to compare and help judge the effectiveness of the experimental capability being tested.

On the radar and infrared tracking side of argument, the F-117 is also a near-perfect and highly available low observable aircraft to test everything from ground based radars and SAM systems, both foreign and domestic, AWACS modifications, fighter radars and even infrared search and track systems.

Cita de Vympel

Grandes slater y travolta repartiendo democracia como papa noel reparte regalos

Cita de Fisn0