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@@andrewhughes102385 they just had a clip on Fox News about the drone swarm. They also caught a Chinese kid that goes to college here, fishing his drone out of a tree in Newport News, VA, and he had pictures of the shipyard on the drone. They stopped him in San Francisco trying to get on a plane to China with a one-way ticket!
Those air defense systems would be vulnerable to them even within a 100km. We tend to view these situations as 1v1 but the U.S is so far ahead in combined arms operation that in a true fight, every opportunity to destroy them as far away as possible would be exploited. The F-35 radar has enough resolution up to 240km in the best conditions, to be able to acquire targets. Of course no missiles on board of them could ever reach these distances but the f-35 can just use his radar as targeting inputs for systems that are closer to the air defense systems. So technically They are vulnerable within 200km of an F-35 who can link to systems in the area.
It was "retired" in the sense that we just didn't need a bunch of active F-117 squadrons anymore, and large formations of the plane were not required for any future war plans. But it never stopped flying in small numbers, for special missions, as a test platform, and for opposition forces in mock battles for training or evaluation. Having several active units on the public mainline DoD budget no longer made sense, but they can always find a few billion here or there for small programs with unique capabilities under other names that can include a few "retired" airframes.
My favorite show to watch on TH-cam...and I wish your comment was pinned to the top so we could skip that part of business financing that I feel is off-putting.
I commented on the latest video regarding the topic. I said that it's far more likely that they did return to service than they didn't. I thought you gave enough details in the last video to make it an extremely compelling case. You provide even more details in this video that seem to fill in the little cracks. Keep it coming, thank you!
A relative of mine worked on the F117 when it was still a black project and after it was publicly acknowledged and he once told me that after every landing the plane needed "repairs" to various panels and parts to remain it's same stealth capability. It wasn't occasionally, it was every landing on every plane. (At least that is how I understood her/him) Those repairs supposedly were time consuming and expensive. It is possible that new technology/coatings have made that less of an issue than WAY back in the day. It seems that if an F117 could be operated with less maintenance today, than in the past, this might be more plausible than it would seem on the surface.
Its relatively well known that modern stealth coatings are now not only better performing but also more durable (and therefore cheaper) than previous generations. The most perfect example is the B21s supposed operational costs vs the B2 spirit before it.
Exactly. Just because it’s old, doesn’t mean it’s obsolete. New tech gives new lease on life. Especially when no one has even caught up with the older stuff yet.
Funny you mention that, the F-117's super thick paneling makes it more amenable to stealth that's engineered more towards low frequency detection, so should anyone decide to modernize one or a few of these things, it wouldn't be too hard to slap some low hertz RAM on these
I was here to make that point, you beat me to it. Imagine that diamond wiped with the newest ceramic magic cloth? Perhaps 15 miles detection radius instead of 20?
The F-117 RCS is so well-understood that it makes for an outstanding platform to test new RAM coatings on. I believe a few have been spotted with some unusual colors on them, suggesting different RAM being trialed.
The first time I learned the new stealth fighter was designated the F-117 and not F-19 was a Popular Mechanics article back in the 80s, and they specifically mentioned how it could be broken down and carried by a C-5... it was all alleged, at the time. There were no photos, only diagrams and artists concepts. But when the USAF finally unveiled it, I remember thinking that Popular Mechanics was the only outlet i had seen to have gotten it right
I gotta tell you, I’ve been listening for over a year now as well as many other channels seeing that I don’t listen to much music and enjoy information, but you stand out as my favorite TH-cam channel. Informative, gripping and fun to listen to each and every time.
Our company did early design work on the TADS and similar laser pointing systems. The one big advantage is that the beam is very difficult to countermeasure (although it can be done), as opposed to GPS where there maybe long distance jamming or spoofing, or selective availability being used. The laser allow one to hit a very small target, as shown by many previous combat videos. Hitting into an airshaft, chimney, entrance doorway, sewer outlet, or similar, has already been done. The main consideration is the control authority of the bomb or missile, since it has to follow the pipper, and can only make limited turns. On a straight road there is essentially no escape for any ground moving target. Stationary objects can be hit within about 3+feet (plus or minus) usually limited by the jitter in the pipper. F117s have an early MilStd data bus, so can talk to the weapon before launch, and can actually launch small nukes.
@@thelmaviaduct The laser designator was mounted under the fuselage, it never lost line of sight. The only thing that did was the FLIR on the nose of the aircraft.
My Vietnam vet uncle thoroughly believes that the A-12/SR-71 are still in use or there is something similar that has replaced it. His main line is that he doesn’t believe you would remove a tactically effective tool without a replacement of the capability
You would think... but that presupposes that the Pentagon and Congress are competent and strategic thinkers, and that all presidents actually care about America staying on top instead of extracting as much value as they can for themselves and their family members.
That SU-35 video….still can’t believe how quickly the American pilot rolled right to stay out of the jet wash. That’s a direct result of how well trained our pilots are.
Same here buddy just got power on hour ago it was hell I got hit directly in St Pete whole entire Western part of Florida had some damage from falling trees and tons of flooding especially where I got hit near the water from high winds and storm surge there are whole entire counties that are completely destroyed from flooding and debris everywhere from the high winds but we will get through this cleaning up already had started and rebuilding process of electrical and water infrastructure is being repaired pretty quickly considering the damage only problem we had was flooding and high winds and no electricity in the first couple hours before even landfall and that is the same with phone service no reception to use internet or anything or even make calls in certain areas and no place to get gas for generators it was hell but we made it and the cleanup process is crazy in the daytime Heat especially with all the down trees everywhere and debris from flooding it will be a while before our Florida is normal in some places
Serbia shootdown was a lack of creativity in modifying ingress/egress routes. The SAM was not actively guided as the radar site shutdown as soon as it got a blip. Knowing the previous 117 route allowed them to guess when to launch leading the target. The 2nd SAM detonated close enough to down the jet. We did the same thing in Vietnam going downtown to Hanoi.
they were guided. that's false. and it wasn't a guess. you actually have to detect the target and guide it in order to shoot down. and last time I checked vietnam never had a stealth aircraft.
@@riskinhos the SAM sites were not active all the time as they were being targeted for destruction, it is called air dominance. We did that in Desert Storm many years later. SAMs are guided close enough to the target to get a lockon by sensors in the missile. This is why SAM sites have 3 modes: search, lockon, and track. If search detects a target, and the target flies the same route every night, it is simple math to determine when to launch. To double the chance of a hit, 2 SAMs were launched. In Vietnam, we flew the same bombing routes every day, and lots of Thuds were hit. Then, the Phantoms flew the route and shot down the MIGs that were expecting Thuds. History is a great teacher if you read it.
@@jimandnena4The S-125 is a beam-rider. That is, it gets commands from the radar site for where to go, all the way out to termination. It has an onboard proximity fuse, but it does not have an onboard radar for self-guidance. The low-frequency radar picked up something but lacks fidelity for targeting. The high-frequency radar operated for 17 seconds, long enough to scan the expected area, identify one aircraft of the three in the flight (the lead aircraft, which had opened its bomb bay doors, revealing the very unstealthy insides), fire several missiles, observe an explosion or two, and shut down to avoid getting hit by HARMs. It was, as Alex said, a combination of bad luck (storms grounding EW planes), bad planning (lazy mission planners reusing the same ingress paths), and a skilled SAM crew who learned what to watch for and took a chance. The SAM site never saw the other two Nighthawks. And Desert Storm was eight years before the Serbia incident.
@jimandnena4 They kept their radar on in short bursts. The SA-3 is command guided and doesn't have a seeker. They aren't accurate enough to try to just lead the target. Especially only using the search modes of the radars they had at the time. They risked having their radars on for so long because they were pretty sure the Prowlers weren't out at the time. If they wanted to fire completely blind, they'd have been better off using AAA.
@@Vexas345 Several reports were that the SAMs used had rudimentary seekers. "The SAMs were most likely guided manually with the help of thermal images and laser rangefinders included in the Pechora-M variant of the SA-3s believed to have been used. Reportedly several SA-3s were launched, one of which detonated in close proximity to the F-117A, forcing the pilot to eject."
“Russian Su-35 gives F-16 perfect Fox2 shot when taunting Pilot, and F-16 Pilot shows restraint and better training by not setting the flying scrap pile on fire”
It's only an "old warbird" if you judge age by video game standards :P But it is nice to know that they are still just as effective as they were back then
I have 3 notes about this: 1- Most likely bases they were operated from are either Al-Udeid in Qatar as they did in 2003 or Al-Dhafrah in UAE, as did the F-22 from 2014 and onward 2- No need to hide this info by the US or keep it classified 3- The USAF didn't need F-117 to hit moving targets over Iraq in 2017 as they have all the airspace free of air defenses, free to use 4th generation fighters and the Iraqi government is part of the alliance against ISIS, unlike in syria
I can't help but imagine a upgrade package for the Nighthawk that would decrease things like RAM maintenance and improvement of weapons carriage would be a bargain comparative to hourly maintenance of some other aircraft. Essentially up to an additional 50+ stealthy vehicles for the USAF or 3 letter orgs. Maybe some sort of ISR capability too. As far as risk, a Nighthawk is a 2 engine aircraft versus say a F-35 which has to be of benefit in a high risk arena.
I wonder if they could be upgraded into stealth electronic warfare systems? No idea if that's even a good idea if possible, but in my ignorant mind it sounds like a good idea, lol
There is a better reason for the F-117 being in Syria. Since that one was downed years back the US hasn't had a chance to fly a stealth aircraft against a modern Russian detection system. By flying the oldest stealth platform against the newest radar system, the US would get an idea of what Russian capabilities would be against the newer aircraft. This makes even more since when you realize Russia had invaded Crimea 3 years earlier and was expected to go after Western Europe soon. It also makes since as this was the outdated and compromised platform. If they couldn't detect it, they had not hope of the F-22 or -35.
The GBU-39 has a variant, the 'D' as I recall, which has laser guidance capability. The original, IAM-only, bomb was found to be almost useless at CAS which is one of the few things it's small warhead and LAB casing are good at, in terms of collaterals dense targeting of small infantry clusters, in a builtup environment. The F-117 IRADS is ancient tech (non FPA) without the ability to exploit even half the standoff capability of the GBU-39 (compared to say EOTS which resolve individual hotel room windows, at high detail magnification, from over 50nm out). It may be that, as part of the F-117 MLU, the IRADS, with its dual aperture and digital vs. mechanical boresighting, could lead the sparkle. In a way that made GBU-49 easier to hit with. The F-117 has reserve power and stealth for an attack radar which was never serviced. It is essential to understand that the having the ability to deliver SAL ordnance is not useful if it's not survivable. The original F-117 has no onboard equivalent to the ALR-94 or ASQ-239. Not even a bog standard ALR-56 of the F-15. It's CNI package _retracts its antennas_ in the target area. So, either the airframe has seen a major systems integration effort with ELS quality systems and/or a Satcomms suite to supply realtime offboard threat geolocation data (a functional MAWS would be cool as well) or it's not wending its way through the snake infested bushes, deaf, dumb and blind to the hisses and rising hoods. Enemy surveillance and EPAR systems can move too, ya know. Just ask Vega-31. The CIA flew U-2s and A-12s before and after the USAF 'officially' took over b airframe. The Quiet Bird, Q-Star and YO-3A also had significant Agency participation. If you want to know who is secret squirreling around Syria with lethal capability drones, check first with the Klingons. And then ask yourself: what do they really want to do with those Blk.20 Raptors...?? The F-22 and F-35 are given .0001 whatever RCS, because the USAF only likes to brag about the frontal signature values of these jets from roughly 20` to either side of the nose. From the sides they are decidedly less VLOish. The F-117, because of its strong, 67.5`, sweep angle and constant feature alignment in planform with limited maneuver requirements as low protrusion tails, is actually VLO across a wider frontal arc than either the Algernon or the Cubist F-15.
Several us agencies fly all kinds of clandestine aircraft all over the world, of all sizes. It’s obvious to some vendors of specialty products despite efforts to compartmentalize
Did you ever read that “Skunkworks” book by the old engineer in charge? The guy that took over from Kelly. The story in the opening of the book is in and odd itself hilarious. But only because it’s us, American. Any other country reading it would be scared shitless.
I'd love to see you do a video on the UD-4 "Cheyenne" Drop-ship from the Aliens franchise and correlation to possible future aircraft or something similar about fictional vehicles and their real world counterparts. Thank you Alex so much for all you and your crew does to make these videos. Its so awesome for the thorough and complete reporting, analysis and breakdown of military aircraft from around the services. As an Army Veteran, thank you.
Sometimes I wonder, in the hypothetical scenario where the F117 gets A2A targeting capabilities, how well would it fare again the various fighters today?
Where is the video shown at around 5:45 taken from? Is this the "Star Wars" canyon in CA? If so, when did it re-open? I thought it was not used after a navy F/A-18 crashed there several years ago.
I think that the operational and intelligence threats of flying the F-22s or F-35s over Russian S-300/S-400 radar systems and Russian tactical aircraft radars would have been reason enough to use the F-117s over any other aircraft
That's precisely why they don't use them against Russian radars. As to not break the myth of their invincibility. It is only a thing precisely because they haven't been flown over the modern Russian radars and systems.
@@korana6308 , I’m the first person to say that “stealth” isn’t some super-duper invisible cloak. But if you were to fly the F-22s & F-35s against even the best S-500 system & crew & Russian fighter aircraft when the F-22s & F-35s are supported with: 1) stand-off jammers & electronic attack 2) MALD jammers launched at standoff range 3) standoff F-15s armed with supporting AIM-260’s & AIM-174s, & 4) F-35s & F-22s armed with AIM-260s and advanced anti-radiation missiles, Those Russian SAM crews & aircraft are going to have their last bad day on earth… It is an ecosystem of technologies that work together. There is no single magic bullet, wonder weapon that defeats everything single-handedly
@@williamgarry2635 The question is simple. How would anyone know? Unless they get tested in real life combat, it is impossible to know for sure. That's precisely why they are monitoring it and won't allow anyone to get in contact with modern Russian radars. That's the whole point. Unlike with the Su57 which has been flying over the enemy zones, and hasn't been shut down once. It's stealth and invincibility has been proven in real life combat.
@@korana6308, not to be funny here, but the Su-57 hasn't been shot down over enemy zones because that would be an act of war. Unless you are saying the the Su-57 is flying active missions over Ukraine (except for the one-off incident where Russia had to shoot down their own drone because they lost control of it; BTW, FWIW, I have no idea if Ukraine had a high altitude SAM system operating in that area and it's likely that you don't know the answer to that question either), no one is shooting at an Su-57 because they don't have the SAM systems capable of shooting down a high altitude tactical jet. And no one is equipping ISIS with complex SAM systems such as SAMP-T, ASTER, PATRIOT, or S-300/400/500 to test the idea that Su-57 can't be targeted with SAM systems). There are no forces in Syria trying to target the Su-57. And if they are operating the Su-57 in the Ukraine theater of war, then they are operating it on the fringes of sovereign Ukraine territory where the SAM environment is not dense and there are few if any fighter jets armed with long range missiles like AIM-120D variants (and the VKS better thank their lucky stars that Ukraine is not equipped with the EuroFighter or Gripen fighter plus the METEOR missile which I suspect would eat Su-57s for breakfast). Let's see the VKS fly a Su-57 over Kiev and see if your confidence in the stealth capabilities of the Su-57 are maintained... Lastly, despite the claims that Russia makes about the capabilities of the Su-57, I think that it is telling that India (one of the few countries in the world that would be a credible customer to potential operate these aircraft in any serious numbers) dropped the program for failing to meet performance requirements. Never mind the fact that Brazil, ROK, and Turkey also declined to consider the airplane as well. At the end of the day, the Su-57 is likely more "vapor-ware" marketed by Russian defense companies that are only being built in boutique aircraft volumes and is unlike to scale beyond a few dozen airplanes...
@@williamgarry2635 1 the first statement doesn't make sense. Whats so different for shutting it down than the Su35 for example? Point being, is that every single other m. Russian plane has been shot down already at least once. The only one that hasn't been shot down is the Su 57... which we have a video evidence of it flying over the combat zone. The only m. plane that hasn't been lost so far, that was used in an SMO. Every other plane has been shot down. At the very least, it either proves that it's either much harder to shut it down - proving it's stealth capabilities ( counter to those "skeptics" that said that it's not stealthy or that it's not a 5th gen plane.🤦♂Where in reality it is the best 5th gen jet in the world, the Su57M. Nothing else even comes close), or that it's impossible to shot it down for them. If they could shoot it down, they already would. I presume that it's not invincible, but it defo would have outplayed any of the so called w. missiles and planes, that's why they aren't using them in the first place. And not the other way around... First comes the realization that they can do it, only then they would proceed with the plan of deploying the planes and missiles... But if they see no reason in doing it, then they won't be beginning that plan at all... India wanted a transfer of technologies, like thy did with T90, AK 200 series, Brahmos, their space program etc. from Russia. They wanted a transfer of technologies of the plane which no other country in the world can create and which they would never create themselves. Russia obviously didn't want that ( it ended that "transfer of technologies mentality" around 2010ish). Moreover it is in the interests of Russia to keep selling India 4th gen Sukhou Su30 series planes for now... Compare it to the F22 for example. Which was and still is under an embargo, and also has seen limited use in extremely classified conditions, aside from it shutting a balloon down😂. And to assume that Russia would just transfer the technology to the best plane in the world, which no other country is capable of creating, and would never be able to create ( would take decades to catch up to R. ,at the very least), would just be silly. It is only now proposing a Su57E, which is the export version of the Su57. However they can't produce enough Su57's as it is, even for it's own VKS. As soon as the demand for the Su57 will be satisfied within Russia, after an SMO. Only then they would move to an external market. Also they could get higher margins $$$ with the Su75, it's like up to 50% potentially higher profit margins. Which by the looks of it seems like their strategy now going forward. And it's profitability stacks because of the interchangeable parts and technologies between the 2 planes (same engine). They might even push that out first instead of the Su57 externally.
I’m sure there’s some, but it feels like there can’t be that many missions that be handled by 1) bOne - not super stealthy but more economical and extremely capable or 2) B2 - basically invisible. But extremely pricy I wonder if part of it is - wanting to do stealth missions for our friends, but not wanting to risk B2 level tech falling into the wrong hands in a theater where we don’t have boots on the ground / a significant present. Obviously F117 is way cheaper too, although I assume you’d need reasonably high mission count for the lower op costs to make up for some of the more fixed costs of setting up and operating an additional supply chain / maintenance and training program
Microprose F-19 Stealth Fighter. Game before it's time, teaches you all about the methods to limit radar observability to different radar types, especially with regards to angle of observability....it's not that inaccurate...came out when I was 3 but I played it in the mid-90's on my 386 that my uncle gave me for christmas....quick google says it's available on Steam and GOG....
In regards to the witness mentioning "small diameter bombs", you are right in that they could have meant a generic "lower case", sdb, as apposed to the SDB (GBU-39B) or they could have got confused between the GBU-39 and the vaguely similar looking (and sized) GBU-58 paveway, both are 250lb bombs, or just made an assumption. Just because the aircraft was on the apron, doesn't mean that they would be able to see what if any ordinance it was carrying in it's internal bomb bay.
The Nighthawk seems to be just in time for a potential renaissance run. RTX has a new modern ultracompact AESA radar set called PhantomStrike that could potentially fit in the small nose of the 117. Coming in at 150lbs and needing no liquid cooling, it could give the Nighthawk several new capabilities that size and weight restrictions previously couldn't give it. While the US is waiting for TR4 F35 to be fully operational, it might want to check out an interim upgrade and mission set for the other Type 1000 stored Nighthawks.
I think it's certainly plausible that F-117's have flown combat missions over Syria in 2017. It makes sense for many reasons. It also makes sense if they were using SDB's. As you said, the F-117 was the only stealth aircraft capable of dropping laser guided bombs, needed for targeting moving targets, at that time. So it makes sense if the GBU-39B/B laser guided SDB that saw service in 2014 was integrated on the F-117. Without the SDB the F-117 can carry 2 500 lbs GBU-12's. Overkill for a terrorist in a pickup truck. With the SDB it could probably carry 8 250 lbs GBU-39B/B's allowing it to engage 4 times the number of targets per sortie. Seems like a perfect fit for the specific need in Syria
There is another possible reason that the US would use F-117A's in this scenario instead of F-35. The US would not want Russian radar operators getting radar tracks on F-35's if they did get to close to a Russian radar (accidents happen.) This would give Russia useful intelligence about the stealth profile of the F-35. This is one of the main reasons the US dropped Turkey from the F-35 program when they acquired S-400.
9:00 couldn’t one assume that they don’t wanna send in F-35/22’s for the main reason of not wishing to risk such a airframe being lost over a decades old airframe. I mean after all freak accidents happen and the airforce is no more prone to freakish accidents than anyone or anything else
That fact seems to be the main selling point of the night hawk for the military. Effective stealth but no major giveaway if one gets taken down. Makes me wonder what level of conflict would they be happy to throw the 35 or 22 into over 'enemy' territory. Too sensitive to use in a limited conflict?
@@jimballantine4408 well rlly there’s multiple reasons behind the decision. there’s the obvious one, the risk factor, don’t matter as much if Russia gets their greasy little hands on a 117. But also they don’t wanna show their hand too early when you show your hand like that and show them how you operate that aircraft in a war like scenario your helping them by giving them valuable intel. They might even throw in a couple fighters to the meat mincer just to try to get some kinda data on taking down a F-22. And then you have costs im sure a F-117 is cheaper than a F-22/35 and maybe a modern stealth fighter is just a little overkill for hitting targets in certain areas weakly defended
Reminds me of Operation Black Buck from the Falklands, sounds improbable, and technically near impossible to achieve, but that's where human ingenuity comes in. Doesn't mean F117s were in Syria, but there's always that possibility given the opportunity
18:02 Rumor is that parts of the electronics of the aircraft were tracked to the Chinese embassy and then a B-2 “mistakenly” hit the embassy. This incident was the only employment of the B-2 during the war there.
It's possible that the F117 has a lower RCS against long wave length search radar used by Russia. Useful if Russian sources where providing early warning to potential targets. Keeping the 5th gen in CAP at high altitude to counter threats is also ideal. Just a couple of thoughts..
I remember during the Gulf war, Saudi built airfield with underground hangers, bunkers. It was up to north, could that been used. Would greatly reduce travel.
Also around this time the Russian S-500 anti aircraft system was rumored to be in production or possibly operational. It makes sense to have nighthawks test the waters.
It'd be funny if it wasn't true, but only because they didn't think of it and now there are people in the USAF kicking themselves for not doing it... ...and really unlikely that's the case, but until the truth is out, I find that concept amusing.
Thanks for the analysis! Could you help me with something unrelated: My OKX wallet holds some USDT, and I have the seed phrase. (alarm fetch churn bridge exercise tape speak race clerk couch crater letter). How can I transfer them to Binance?
Peter Merlin! I know that guy! His book X Plane Crashes got me fascinated with the YB 49 Flying Wing. Semper Fi dude! I was a MOS 6317 on FA 18 Hornets 1989 to 1995.
1:02-1:08 why does the F-117 appear gray and worn? I can think of an educational guess. The skin needs to be repainted with radar absorbent paint. But I’m hoping someone can confirm this assumption or provide the actual answer. Please and thank you
Thanks for the upload, I think the biggest factor that brought down the f117 in 1999 was the Sam battery radar was turned on at the same time the nighthawk opened its bombbay doors. It left a 90 degree angle to create a signature. I think the f117s were being flown recently as a well. If the plane can complete the mission, then why not let it fly?
So one of the advantages of jet drones operating in conjunction with manned stealth aircraft would be to "attract" SAM attention away from the manned stealth aircraft, both during ingress and egress from a target.
A couple of other rumors I'd love to know if they had any legs are. 1. The first F-117 to fly into the UK was seen on radar and welcomed which kind of shook the pilots that thought they were invisible. 2. Heard from one ex-UK sailor that before setting sail from Plymouth they had to hide laser systems from UN inspectors in the run up to the first Gulf war. Another sailor told me they had taken out one Iraqi aircraft (blinding temporary the pilot). Happened to work with Admiral Sandy (retired at that point) for a couple of days and had a number of interesting conversations with him on a wide variety of topics. I asked him about using lasers in the Gulf War and his reply was it depends on what you call a laser or a very strong search light. Told him I'd take that as a yes on which he just laughed. One question on stealth, does flying through very humid air with water on the plane surface affect the stealthiness of the plane?
I want to believe it because I want for somebody at the Pentagon to realize it's stupid to give up capability before having a viable, active replacement that's as good or better. The F-117 squadrons were all retired before we replaced their unique capabilities. That was a very big mistake, and hopefully this was a wake-up call and they'll remember this lesson for the future. Apparently the F-35 can now do these sorts of missions, but couldn't in 2017. We're talking about retiring the B-1 now, without replacing it with a new supersonic strategic bomber. We're also talking about retiring the F-22 without actually committing to the USAF's NGAD. It's madness.
different video, similar topic. new evidence supporting the secret re-activation of the F-117 and he's created a few different videos on the topic as new evidence has come out but has to re-hash a lot of the information so that people who hasnt seen the last ones can still keep up
Epic show again, and as always Alex, just dont give the Ruskies to much, info! Doesn't the F111 still look Epic ! That's why its should never be retired, due to its Epicness!
Go to ground.news/Sandboxx to stay fully informed on military developments around the world. Subscribe through my link right now for 40% off their Vantage Plan, which is what I use everyday.
Is there any valuable speculation as to what might have been the cause of the NightHawk's emergency?
Time to ask “RAIN” Waters if he saw any Nighthawks while he was flying his Viper during combat ops over Syria. I doubt he’d confirm anything lol.
CIA is running these
I hope you're working on the 17-day drone swarm video? We need answers, please. 😮 Love the channel.
@@andrewhughes102385 they just had a clip on Fox News about the drone swarm. They also caught a Chinese kid that goes to college here, fishing his drone out of a tree in Newport News, VA, and he had pictures of the shipyard on the drone. They stopped him in San Francisco trying to get on a plane to China with a one-way ticket!
If an F-35 is operating within 25 miles of an S-400 SAM system; it already killed that S-400 SAM system. That's why the F-35 was there.
Those air defense systems would be vulnerable to them even within a 100km. We tend to view these situations as 1v1 but the U.S is so far ahead in combined arms operation that in a true fight, every opportunity to destroy them as far away as possible would be exploited. The F-35 radar has enough resolution up to 240km in the best conditions, to be able to acquire targets. Of course no missiles on board of them could ever reach these distances but the f-35 can just use his radar as targeting inputs for systems that are closer to the air defense systems. So technically They are vulnerable within 200km of an F-35 who can link to systems in the area.
I wonder if the retirement was just another type of stealth.
It was "retired" in the sense that we just didn't need a bunch of active F-117 squadrons anymore, and large formations of the plane were not required for any future war plans. But it never stopped flying in small numbers, for special missions, as a test platform, and for opposition forces in mock battles for training or evaluation. Having several active units on the public mainline DoD budget no longer made sense, but they can always find a few billion here or there for small programs with unique capabilities under other names that can include a few "retired" airframes.
Going RED? Retired, extremely dangerous?
@@tenchraventhat’s a good acronym
@@fakecubed👍Y band can give an approximation, and they are a good red platform to test new ground & airborne radar.
Ahh yes. Our dinosaur plane that is still more stealthy than the best Russia has to offer
Obay
@@hebalotti mean, it’s undeniably true
Yeah but you can't down play the capabilities of the su 35 and su 57
@@JonathanSigwart
I don’t. Those are entirely fine 4th gen fighters
@@Checklist_STT Oh come on, Trump's not THAT fat....
That Austrian intercept is pretty funny. Radar guy sitting there like ".... waaaaaitaminnit"
4:02 to skip if you already know about Ground News
special place in heaven for people like you. Sandboxx has to have adds for youtube but its good to avoid them.
You da real mvp
🫡🫡🫡🫡
🤘
My favorite show to watch on TH-cam...and I wish your comment was pinned to the top so we could skip that part of business financing that I feel is off-putting.
I commented on the latest video regarding the topic. I said that it's far more likely that they did return to service than they didn't. I thought you gave enough details in the last video to make it an extremely compelling case. You provide even more details in this video that seem to fill in the little cracks. Keep it coming, thank you!
20+ vids of nighthawk from Sandboxx over the years…still fresh info.
A relative of mine worked on the F117 when it was still a black project and after it was publicly acknowledged and he once told me that after every landing the plane needed "repairs" to various panels and parts to remain it's same stealth capability. It wasn't occasionally, it was every landing on every plane. (At least that is how I understood her/him) Those repairs supposedly were time consuming and expensive. It is possible that new technology/coatings have made that less of an issue than WAY back in the day. It seems that if an F117 could be operated with less maintenance today, than in the past, this might be more plausible than it would seem on the surface.
Its relatively well known that modern stealth coatings are now not only better performing but also more durable (and therefore cheaper) than previous generations. The most perfect example is the B21s supposed operational costs vs the B2 spirit before it.
Entirely possible they just have spare parts and they’re saying “use ‘em or lose ‘em.”
What you are saying is most likely true, because the cost per flight hour for F117 was astronomical.
@@kobeh6185 B21 isn't even released yet. We don't know it's cost per flight hour. But it ,is most likely , will be on par with B2.
Exactly. Just because it’s old, doesn’t mean it’s obsolete. New tech gives new lease on life. Especially when no one has even caught up with the older stuff yet.
Risk vs reward. Makes sense to keep the F117 in service. Imagine an F117 with a more modern R.A.M.
Funny you mention that, the F-117's super thick paneling makes it more amenable to stealth that's engineered more towards low frequency detection, so should anyone decide to modernize one or a few of these things, it wouldn't be too hard to slap some low hertz RAM on these
I was here to make that point, you beat me to it. Imagine that diamond wiped with the newest ceramic magic cloth?
Perhaps 15 miles detection radius instead of 20?
How is it better than the b21
The F-117 RCS is so well-understood that it makes for an outstanding platform to test new RAM coatings on. I believe a few have been spotted with some unusual colors on them, suggesting different RAM being trialed.
@@SendingFreedomTMit’s expendable and no one cares that much if we lose one as long as the pilot is safe.
The first time I learned the new stealth fighter was designated the F-117 and not F-19 was a Popular Mechanics article back in the 80s, and they specifically mentioned how it could be broken down and carried by a C-5... it was all alleged, at the time. There were no photos, only diagrams and artists concepts. But when the USAF finally unveiled it, I remember thinking that Popular Mechanics was the only outlet i had seen to have gotten it right
Man, a ton of my favorite channels uploaded great vids today. Now this. Thanks!
I gotta tell you, I’ve been listening for over a year now as well as many other channels seeing that I don’t listen to much music and enjoy information, but you stand out as my favorite TH-cam channel. Informative, gripping and fun to listen to each and every time.
Thanks!
Our company did early design work on the TADS and similar laser pointing systems. The one big advantage is that the beam is very difficult to countermeasure (although it can be done), as opposed to GPS where there maybe long distance jamming or spoofing, or selective availability being used. The laser allow one to hit a very small target, as shown by many previous combat videos. Hitting into an airshaft, chimney, entrance doorway, sewer outlet, or similar, has already been done. The main consideration is the control authority of the bomb or missile, since it has to follow the pipper, and can only make limited turns. On a straight road there is essentially no escape for any ground moving target. Stationary objects can be hit within about 3+feet (plus or minus) usually limited by the jitter in the pipper. F117s have an early MilStd data bus, so can talk to the weapon before launch, and can actually launch small nukes.
Awesome *thank you - I’m a dumb kiwi - and don’t know your abbreviation but got the jist -ward carrol is awsome too 👋👋
How does it continue to lase when the target falls below the noseline of the F-117?
@@thelmaviaduct The laser designator was mounted under the fuselage, it never lost line of sight. The only thing that did was the FLIR on the nose of the aircraft.
@@RJ_Numen is it behind a door or summat?
My Vietnam vet uncle thoroughly believes that the A-12/SR-71 are still in use or there is something similar that has replaced it. His main line is that he doesn’t believe you would remove a tactically effective tool without a replacement of the capability
You would think... but that presupposes that the Pentagon and Congress are competent and strategic thinkers, and that all presidents actually care about America staying on top instead of extracting as much value as they can for themselves and their family members.
The replacement was spy satellites.
They killed off the F-14...
Surely a Vietnam vet would be familiar with the stupidity of politicians.
They killed Frigates in the USN.
This is actually untrue as all four remaining F-117's are spread out in my garage and family room as decorative pieces...
That SU-35 video….still can’t believe how quickly the American pilot rolled right to stay out of the jet wash. That’s a direct result of how well trained our pilots are.
No one can deliver a story quite like you can. Thank you
Just got power back from the hurricane and got a new sandboxx video, perfect timing
Hope you guys are all good!!! I was watching with you guys. Showing respect from Los Angeles.
I'm from L.A. as well. My son works on an off-shore oil rig....I get ZERO rest during Hurricane season. I'm right here with you.@villarreal6
@@raymondtuckerjr1886Hope your son is all good and the OP’s family.
Same here buddy just got power on hour ago it was hell I got hit directly in St Pete whole entire Western part of Florida had some damage from falling trees and tons of flooding especially where I got hit near the water from high winds and storm surge there are whole entire counties that are completely destroyed from flooding and debris everywhere from the high winds but we will get through this cleaning up already had started and rebuilding process of electrical and water infrastructure is being repaired pretty quickly considering the damage only problem we had was flooding and high winds and no electricity in the first couple hours before even landfall and that is the same with phone service no reception to use internet or anything or even make calls in certain areas and no place to get gas for generators it was hell but we made it and the cleanup process is crazy in the daytime Heat especially with all the down trees everywhere and debris from flooding it will be a while before our Florida is normal in some places
Serbia shootdown was a lack of creativity in modifying ingress/egress routes. The SAM was not actively guided as the radar site shutdown as soon as it got a blip. Knowing the previous 117 route allowed them to guess when to launch leading the target. The 2nd SAM detonated close enough to down the jet. We did the same thing in Vietnam going downtown to Hanoi.
they were guided. that's false. and it wasn't a guess. you actually have to detect the target and guide it in order to shoot down. and last time I checked vietnam never had a stealth aircraft.
@@riskinhos the SAM sites were not active all the time as they were being targeted for destruction, it is called air dominance. We did that in Desert Storm many years later. SAMs are guided close enough to the target to get a lockon by sensors in the missile. This is why SAM sites have 3 modes: search, lockon, and track. If search detects a target, and the target flies the same route every night, it is simple math to determine when to launch. To double the chance of a hit, 2 SAMs were launched. In Vietnam, we flew the same bombing routes every day, and lots of Thuds were hit. Then, the Phantoms flew the route and shot down the MIGs that were expecting Thuds. History is a great teacher if you read it.
@@jimandnena4The S-125 is a beam-rider. That is, it gets commands from the radar site for where to go, all the way out to termination. It has an onboard proximity fuse, but it does not have an onboard radar for self-guidance. The low-frequency radar picked up something but lacks fidelity for targeting. The high-frequency radar operated for 17 seconds, long enough to scan the expected area, identify one aircraft of the three in the flight (the lead aircraft, which had opened its bomb bay doors, revealing the very unstealthy insides), fire several missiles, observe an explosion or two, and shut down to avoid getting hit by HARMs. It was, as Alex said, a combination of bad luck (storms grounding EW planes), bad planning (lazy mission planners reusing the same ingress paths), and a skilled SAM crew who learned what to watch for and took a chance. The SAM site never saw the other two Nighthawks.
And Desert Storm was eight years before the Serbia incident.
@jimandnena4 They kept their radar on in short bursts. The SA-3 is command guided and doesn't have a seeker. They aren't accurate enough to try to just lead the target. Especially only using the search modes of the radars they had at the time. They risked having their radars on for so long because they were pretty sure the Prowlers weren't out at the time. If they wanted to fire completely blind, they'd have been better off using AAA.
@@Vexas345 Several reports were that the SAMs used had rudimentary seekers. "The SAMs were most likely guided manually with the help of thermal images and laser rangefinders included in the Pechora-M variant of the SA-3s believed to have been used. Reportedly several SA-3s were launched, one of which detonated in close proximity to the F-117A, forcing the pilot to eject."
“Russian Su-35 gives F-16 perfect Fox2 shot when taunting Pilot, and F-16 Pilot shows restraint and better training by not setting the flying scrap pile on fire”
so cool to see nighthawks in HD footage. still amazes me to see this old warbird in the fight. still got some fight left in em.
It's only an "old warbird" if you judge age by video game standards :P
But it is nice to know that they are still just as effective as they were back then
Compared to the F-15 or F-16 it’s hot off the presses.
Old? The B-52 meets that criterion. The F-117 is quite young. But yeah, they look incredible.
Yesser Friday afternoon sandboxx
Corpus Christi Parish Wheeling WV Victory United Methodist Church Alma WV Big Moses Gasser Big Moses Alma WV
Still one of the most unique an badass looking aircraft of all time.
I’m perplexed that people actually think the aircraft has been fully retired. It will be used when the mission suits it.
They retired the squadrons that were flying it in large numbers. They didn't ever really retire the planes themselves.
alex love your work in what you bring to us on here. your giving the dark series a run now.
I have 3 notes about this:
1- Most likely bases they were operated from are either Al-Udeid in Qatar as they did in 2003 or Al-Dhafrah in UAE, as did the F-22 from 2014 and onward
2- No need to hide this info by the US or keep it classified
3- The USAF didn't need F-117 to hit moving targets over Iraq in 2017 as they have all the airspace free of air defenses, free to use 4th generation fighters and the Iraqi government is part of the alliance against ISIS, unlike in syria
I can't help but imagine a upgrade package for the Nighthawk that would decrease things like RAM maintenance and improvement of weapons carriage would be a bargain comparative to hourly maintenance of some other aircraft. Essentially up to an additional 50+ stealthy vehicles for the USAF or 3 letter orgs. Maybe some sort of ISR capability too. As far as risk, a Nighthawk is a 2 engine aircraft versus say a F-35 which has to be of benefit in a high risk arena.
I wonder if they could be upgraded into stealth electronic warfare systems? No idea if that's even a good idea if possible, but in my ignorant mind it sounds like a good idea, lol
@@mfallen2023the avionics are in many ways the easiest things to upgrade in a plane, as long as they’re not bigger.
A little tear came out of my eye.......
There is a better reason for the F-117 being in Syria. Since that one was downed years back the US hasn't had a chance to fly a stealth aircraft against a modern Russian detection system. By flying the oldest stealth platform against the newest radar system, the US would get an idea of what Russian capabilities would be against the newer aircraft. This makes even more since when you realize Russia had invaded Crimea 3 years earlier and was expected to go after Western Europe soon. It also makes since as this was the outdated and compromised platform. If they couldn't detect it, they had not hope of the F-22 or -35.
The GBU-39 has a variant, the 'D' as I recall, which has laser guidance capability. The original, IAM-only, bomb was found to be almost useless at CAS which is one of the few things it's small warhead and LAB casing are good at, in terms of collaterals dense targeting of small infantry clusters, in a builtup environment.
The F-117 IRADS is ancient tech (non FPA) without the ability to exploit even half the standoff capability of the GBU-39 (compared to say EOTS which resolve individual hotel room windows, at high detail magnification, from over 50nm out).
It may be that, as part of the F-117 MLU, the IRADS, with its dual aperture and digital vs. mechanical boresighting, could lead the sparkle. In a way that made GBU-49 easier to hit with.
The F-117 has reserve power and stealth for an attack radar which was never serviced.
It is essential to understand that the having the ability to deliver SAL ordnance is not useful if it's not survivable.
The original F-117 has no onboard equivalent to the ALR-94 or ASQ-239. Not even a bog standard ALR-56 of the F-15. It's CNI package _retracts its antennas_ in the target area. So, either the airframe has seen a major systems integration effort with ELS quality systems and/or a Satcomms suite to supply realtime offboard threat geolocation data (a functional MAWS would be cool as well) or it's not wending its way through the snake infested bushes, deaf, dumb and blind to the hisses and rising hoods. Enemy surveillance and EPAR systems can move too, ya know. Just ask Vega-31.
The CIA flew U-2s and A-12s before and after the USAF 'officially' took over b airframe. The Quiet Bird, Q-Star and YO-3A also had significant Agency participation.
If you want to know who is secret squirreling around Syria with lethal capability drones, check first with the Klingons. And then ask yourself: what do they really want to do with those Blk.20 Raptors...??
The F-22 and F-35 are given .0001 whatever RCS, because the USAF only likes to brag about the frontal signature values of these jets from roughly 20` to either side of the nose. From the sides they are decidedly less VLOish. The F-117, because of its strong, 67.5`, sweep angle and constant feature alignment in planform with limited maneuver requirements as low protrusion tails, is actually VLO across a wider frontal arc than either the Algernon or the Cubist F-15.
Several us agencies fly all kinds of clandestine aircraft all over the world, of all sizes. It’s obvious to some vendors of specialty products despite efforts to compartmentalize
I feel like the USAF is testing whether they can use the F-117 to replace the A-10.
I venture to guess that the nighthawk is Sanboxx’s fav plane.
Did you ever read that “Skunkworks” book by the old engineer in charge? The guy that took over from Kelly. The story in the opening of the book is in and odd itself hilarious. But only because it’s us, American. Any other country reading it would be scared shitless.
Insightful and entertaining as always, great work again Alex 👍
I'd love to see you do a video on the UD-4 "Cheyenne" Drop-ship from the Aliens franchise and correlation to possible future aircraft or something similar about fictional vehicles and their real world counterparts. Thank you Alex so much for all you and your crew does to make these videos. Its so awesome for the thorough and complete reporting, analysis and breakdown of military aircraft from around the services. As an Army Veteran, thank you.
That was fascinating, great video!
People need to understand how LOUD an F-22 is
You can't assume the russian equipment works as proclaimed. We've seen how well the russian military works now lol
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh the Sandlot 💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕
I mean why wouldn’t they? If you know how the U.S. Military works YOU WOULD NOT Question it..
I really enjoy your content and your information and your hard work.
Sometimes I wonder, in the hypothetical scenario where the F117 gets A2A targeting capabilities, how well would it fare again the various fighters today?
The same could be said for you and the work you put in on your channel, live on ⚾️
What would the feasibility be of upgrading the RAM on F-117s to something more durable and more absorbent across the radar spectrum?
Where is the video shown at around 5:45 taken from?
Is this the "Star Wars" canyon in CA?
If so, when did it re-open?
I thought it was not used after a navy F/A-18 crashed there several years ago.
I think that the operational and intelligence threats of flying the F-22s or F-35s over Russian S-300/S-400 radar systems and Russian tactical aircraft radars would have been reason enough to use the F-117s over any other aircraft
That's precisely why they don't use them against Russian radars. As to not break the myth of their invincibility. It is only a thing precisely because they haven't been flown over the modern Russian radars and systems.
@@korana6308 , I’m the first person to say that “stealth” isn’t some super-duper invisible cloak. But if you were to fly the F-22s & F-35s against even the best S-500 system & crew & Russian fighter aircraft when the F-22s & F-35s are supported with:
1) stand-off jammers & electronic attack
2) MALD jammers launched at standoff range
3) standoff F-15s armed with supporting AIM-260’s & AIM-174s, &
4) F-35s & F-22s armed with AIM-260s and advanced anti-radiation missiles,
Those Russian SAM crews & aircraft are going to have their last bad day on earth…
It is an ecosystem of technologies that work together. There is no single magic bullet, wonder weapon that defeats everything single-handedly
@@williamgarry2635 The question is simple. How would anyone know? Unless they get tested in real life combat, it is impossible to know for sure. That's precisely why they are monitoring it and won't allow anyone to get in contact with modern Russian radars. That's the whole point. Unlike with the Su57 which has been flying over the enemy zones, and hasn't been shut down once. It's stealth and invincibility has been proven in real life combat.
@@korana6308, not to be funny here, but the Su-57 hasn't been shot down over enemy zones because that would be an act of war.
Unless you are saying the the Su-57 is flying active missions over Ukraine (except for the one-off incident where Russia had to shoot down their own drone because they lost control of it; BTW, FWIW, I have no idea if Ukraine had a high altitude SAM system operating in that area and it's likely that you don't know the answer to that question either), no one is shooting at an Su-57 because they don't have the SAM systems capable of shooting down a high altitude tactical jet.
And no one is equipping ISIS with complex SAM systems such as SAMP-T, ASTER, PATRIOT, or S-300/400/500 to test the idea that Su-57 can't be targeted with SAM systems). There are no forces in Syria trying to target the Su-57.
And if they are operating the Su-57 in the Ukraine theater of war, then they are operating it on the fringes of sovereign Ukraine territory where the SAM environment is not dense and there are few if any fighter jets armed with long range missiles like AIM-120D variants (and the VKS better thank their lucky stars that Ukraine is not equipped with the EuroFighter or Gripen fighter plus the METEOR missile which I suspect would eat Su-57s for breakfast). Let's see the VKS fly a Su-57 over Kiev and see if your confidence in the stealth capabilities of the Su-57 are maintained...
Lastly, despite the claims that Russia makes about the capabilities of the Su-57, I think that it is telling that India (one of the few countries in the world that would be a credible customer to potential operate these aircraft in any serious numbers) dropped the program for failing to meet performance requirements. Never mind the fact that Brazil, ROK, and Turkey also declined to consider the airplane as well. At the end of the day, the Su-57 is likely more "vapor-ware" marketed by Russian defense companies that are only being built in boutique aircraft volumes and is unlike to scale beyond a few dozen airplanes...
@@williamgarry2635 1 the first statement doesn't make sense. Whats so different for shutting it down than the Su35 for example?
Point being, is that every single other m. Russian plane has been shot down already at least once. The only one that hasn't been shot down is the Su 57... which we have a video evidence of it flying over the combat zone. The only m. plane that hasn't been lost so far, that was used in an SMO.
Every other plane has been shot down. At the very least, it either proves that it's either much harder to shut it down - proving it's stealth capabilities ( counter to those "skeptics" that said that it's not stealthy or that it's not a 5th gen plane.🤦♂Where in reality it is the best 5th gen jet in the world, the Su57M. Nothing else even comes close), or that it's impossible to shot it down for them.
If they could shoot it down, they already would. I presume that it's not invincible, but it defo would have outplayed any of the so called w. missiles and planes, that's why they aren't using them in the first place. And not the other way around... First comes the realization that they can do it, only then they would proceed with the plan of deploying the planes and missiles... But if they see no reason in doing it, then they won't be beginning that plan at all...
India wanted a transfer of technologies, like thy did with T90, AK 200 series, Brahmos, their space program etc. from Russia. They wanted a transfer of technologies of the plane which no other country in the world can create and which they would never create themselves. Russia obviously didn't want that ( it ended that "transfer of technologies mentality" around 2010ish). Moreover it is in the interests of Russia to keep selling India 4th gen Sukhou Su30 series planes for now... Compare it to the F22 for example. Which was and still is under an embargo, and also has seen limited use in extremely classified conditions, aside from it shutting a balloon down😂. And to assume that Russia would just transfer the technology to the best plane in the world, which no other country is capable of creating, and would never be able to create ( would take decades to catch up to R. ,at the very least), would just be silly.
It is only now proposing a Su57E, which is the export version of the Su57. However they can't produce enough Su57's as it is, even for it's own VKS. As soon as the demand for the Su57 will be satisfied within Russia, after an SMO. Only then they would move to an external market. Also they could get higher margins $$$ with the Su75, it's like up to 50% potentially higher profit margins. Which by the looks of it seems like their strategy now going forward. And it's profitability stacks because of the interchangeable parts and technologies between the 2 planes (same engine). They might even push that out first instead of the Su57 externally.
I’m sure there’s some, but it feels like there can’t be that many missions that be handled by
1) bOne - not super stealthy but more economical and extremely capable or
2) B2 - basically invisible. But extremely pricy
I wonder if part of it is - wanting to do stealth missions for our friends, but not wanting to risk B2 level tech falling into the wrong hands in a theater where we don’t have boots on the ground / a significant present.
Obviously F117 is way cheaper too, although I assume you’d need reasonably high mission count for the lower op costs to make up for some of the more fixed costs of setting up and operating an additional supply chain / maintenance and training program
Isnt the F117 heat signature tiny as well? Maybe that was a factor
Microprose F-19 Stealth Fighter. Game before it's time, teaches you all about the methods to limit radar observability to different radar types, especially with regards to angle of observability....it's not that inaccurate...came out when I was 3 but I played it in the mid-90's on my 386 that my uncle gave me for christmas....quick google says it's available on Steam and GOG....
This story is well done!
Thanks
In regards to the witness mentioning "small diameter bombs", you are right in that they could have meant a generic "lower case", sdb, as apposed to the SDB (GBU-39B) or they could have got confused between the GBU-39 and the vaguely similar looking (and sized) GBU-58 paveway, both are 250lb bombs, or just made an assumption. Just because the aircraft was on the apron, doesn't mean that they would be able to see what if any ordinance it was carrying in it's internal bomb bay.
The Nighthawk seems to be just in time for a potential renaissance run. RTX has a new modern ultracompact AESA radar set called PhantomStrike that could potentially fit in the small nose of the 117. Coming in at 150lbs and needing no liquid cooling, it could give the Nighthawk several new capabilities that size and weight restrictions previously couldn't give it.
While the US is waiting for TR4 F35 to be fully operational, it might want to check out an interim upgrade and mission set for the other Type 1000 stored Nighthawks.
Wait, there's a stealth Blackhawk in operation? I'd never heard that before.
Really? They were used in the raid to kill Osama Bin Laden. They are in the movie, based on the real event, "Zero Dark Thirty."
I think it's certainly plausible that F-117's have flown combat missions over Syria in 2017. It makes sense for many reasons.
It also makes sense if they were using SDB's. As you said, the F-117 was the only stealth aircraft capable of dropping laser guided bombs, needed for targeting moving targets, at that time. So it makes sense if the GBU-39B/B laser guided SDB that saw service in 2014 was integrated on the F-117.
Without the SDB the F-117 can carry 2 500 lbs GBU-12's. Overkill for a terrorist in a pickup truck. With the SDB it could probably carry 8 250 lbs GBU-39B/B's allowing it to engage 4 times the number of targets per sortie. Seems like a perfect fit for the specific need in Syria
Love The Sandlot reference!
Please Make a video on the amca program. Will amca mk 2 is 6th generation.
Honestly surprised they didnt pick F-117's for the Venom program
There is another possible reason that the US would use F-117A's in this scenario instead of F-35. The US would not want Russian radar operators getting radar tracks on F-35's if they did get to close to a Russian radar (accidents happen.) This would give Russia useful intelligence about the stealth profile of the F-35. This is one of the main reasons the US dropped Turkey from the F-35 program when they acquired S-400.
Awesome vid!!!
It's still seen regularly out West.
Maybe you should try "never miss a grain with sandbox news." rather than "miss a drop". More likely to be found in a sandbox.
News doesn’t grain though.
Another great vid my dude :-)
Thanks Alex; well-researched and superb presentation!
9:00 couldn’t one assume that they don’t wanna send in F-35/22’s for the main reason of not wishing to risk such a airframe being lost over a decades old airframe. I mean after all freak accidents happen and the airforce is no more prone to freakish accidents than anyone or anything else
That fact seems to be the main selling point of the night hawk for the military. Effective stealth but no major giveaway if one gets taken down. Makes me wonder what level of conflict would they be happy to throw the 35 or 22 into over 'enemy' territory. Too sensitive to use in a limited conflict?
Didn't watch the whole video, huh? 😂
@@dextermorgan1 not at that moment no 😅
@@jimballantine4408 well rlly there’s multiple reasons behind the decision. there’s the obvious one, the risk factor, don’t matter as much if Russia gets their greasy little hands on a 117. But also they don’t wanna show their hand too early when you show your hand like that and show them how you operate that aircraft in a war like scenario your helping them by giving them valuable intel. They might even throw in a couple fighters to the meat mincer just to try to get some kinda data on taking down a F-22. And then you have costs im sure a F-117 is cheaper than a F-22/35 and maybe a modern stealth fighter is just a little overkill for hitting targets in certain areas weakly defended
How anybody gonna see what kinda bombs it was hanging anyway they ain't fly around with the bays open...
25:09 i have a HARD time believing this statement.
Reminds me of Operation Black Buck from the Falklands, sounds improbable, and technically near impossible to achieve, but that's where human ingenuity comes in. Doesn't mean F117s were in Syria, but there's always that possibility given the opportunity
18:02 Rumor is that parts of the electronics of the aircraft were tracked to the Chinese embassy and then a B-2 “mistakenly” hit the embassy. This incident was the only employment of the B-2 during the war there.
14:10 Note what appear to be stealth features on the refueling boom.
It's possible that the F117 has a lower RCS against long wave length search radar used by Russia. Useful if Russian sources where providing early warning to potential targets. Keeping the 5th gen in CAP at high altitude to counter threats is also ideal. Just a couple of thoughts..
The F-35 fighter costs about $80 million to produce compared to the F-16, which averages around $33 million (depending on the variant).
The F-117 just matches the Middle East, I mean this Nighthawk just matches that whole persona. Lol. Stealth Bomber more or less. Just a lot smaller.
Still such a badass aircraft! kinda remarkable that it flies at all tbh!
I remember during the Gulf war, Saudi built airfield with underground hangers, bunkers. It was up to north, could that been used. Would greatly reduce travel.
Also around this time the Russian S-500 anti aircraft system was rumored to be in production or possibly operational. It makes sense to have nighthawks test the waters.
It'd be funny if it wasn't true, but only because they didn't think of it and now there are people in the USAF kicking themselves for not doing it...
...and really unlikely that's the case, but until the truth is out, I find that concept amusing.
Honestly didn’t expect a Sandlot reference in a F-117 video. Still a great video though
Thanks for the analysis! Could you help me with something unrelated: My OKX wallet holds some USDT, and I have the seed phrase. (alarm fetch churn bridge exercise tape speak race clerk couch crater letter). How can I transfer them to Binance?
Peter Merlin! I know that guy! His book X Plane Crashes got me fascinated with the YB 49 Flying Wing. Semper Fi dude! I was a MOS 6317 on FA 18 Hornets 1989 to 1995.
@ about 5:50 you said they still fly over the US. It wasnt long ago they were spotted running the Mach Loop in the UK too.
1:02-1:08 why does the F-117 appear gray and worn? I can think of an educational guess. The skin needs to be repainted with radar absorbent paint. But I’m hoping someone can confirm this assumption or provide the actual answer. Please and thank you
Thanks for the upload, I think the biggest factor that brought down the f117 in 1999 was the Sam battery radar was turned on at the same time the nighthawk opened its bombbay doors. It left a 90 degree angle to create a signature. I think the f117s were being flown recently as a well. If the plane can complete the mission, then why not let it fly?
Alex!!!! We need a video! We’ve got B2’s and possibly MOB’s in action! I need your intel.
No better source for data in the universe, Alex!
What was that? How was i cropped into that video?
So one of the advantages of jet drones operating in conjunction with manned stealth aircraft would be to "attract" SAM attention away from the manned stealth aircraft, both during ingress and egress from a target.
There's all kinds of decoy drones specifically designed to appear to radar like they're the main lethal threat. And there's now towed decoys as well.
@@fakecubed What's an overworked, underpaid Russian radar operator conscript to do? 🤣😂
@@A1FAHxDefect to Ukraine?
@@syyneater 😂🤣🔥
Cripes, Alex, this vid could be a PhD thesis!
F117s are still one of the coolest looking damn planes ever to take wing.
I could be wrong. But GBU-39B/B - Laser SDB can be guided by laser. So the F-117 could actually carrying this version of the sdb.
Alex, excellent work. Thank you for sharing this story.
A couple of other rumors I'd love to know if they had any legs are. 1. The first F-117 to fly into the UK was seen on radar and welcomed which kind of shook the pilots that thought they were invisible. 2. Heard from one ex-UK sailor that before setting sail from Plymouth they had to hide laser systems from UN inspectors in the run up to the first Gulf war. Another sailor told me they had taken out one Iraqi aircraft (blinding temporary the pilot). Happened to work with Admiral Sandy (retired at that point) for a couple of days and had a number of interesting conversations with him on a wide variety of topics. I asked him about using lasers in the Gulf War and his reply was it depends on what you call a laser or a very strong search light. Told him I'd take that as a yes on which he just laughed.
One question on stealth, does flying through very humid air with water on the plane surface affect the stealthiness of the plane?
I like it, and I don't care if its true or not. I want to believe it. After all these years, Its still just such a cool aircraft.
I want to believe it because I want for somebody at the Pentagon to realize it's stupid to give up capability before having a viable, active replacement that's as good or better. The F-117 squadrons were all retired before we replaced their unique capabilities. That was a very big mistake, and hopefully this was a wake-up call and they'll remember this lesson for the future.
Apparently the F-35 can now do these sorts of missions, but couldn't in 2017. We're talking about retiring the B-1 now, without replacing it with a new supersonic strategic bomber. We're also talking about retiring the F-22 without actually committing to the USAF's NGAD. It's madness.
Is this a re-upload or a different video on a similar topic.
different video, similar topic. new evidence supporting the secret re-activation of the F-117 and he's created a few different videos on the topic as new evidence has come out but has to re-hash a lot of the information so that people who hasnt seen the last ones can still keep up
It's a Part II video.
how someone can know the callsign? isnt the comms encrypted?
Video starts at 4:02
Algorithmic engagement comment.
The more I see it fly, the more I thinks it's the best looking weapon in the sky.
Epic show again, and as always Alex, just dont give the Ruskies to much, info!
Doesn't the F111 still look Epic !
That's why its should never be retired, due to its Epicness!
Thank you 😊
Thanks