John T wrote:
"Tina" wrote in message

I wonder if the thought is the F117's mission can be done with
pilotless drones now? Why risk a pilot if he or she can be replaced
with GPS and an IC chip?

We're close to being there. Boeing and others are working on combat UAVs,
but the technology is still very much in the R&D phase. Meanwhile, the -117
is beng replaced by the F-22 Raptor which by all the accounts I've read, is
quite a bit more capable than the -117.


The big draw back is the F-117 should have been called the A-117 as it
really isn't a fighter. It has no ability to defend itself except to
hide which it does very well. Remember it is a night only weapon which
does limit it's usefulness somewhat.

The USAF needs the cash to buy F22s. That thing is almost as stealthy as
the F117 and has shown the ability to beat F15s in 2 on 8 before the 8
F15s have even know the 2 F22s are there. And it will carry bombs.