The US Air Force has reintroduced the futuristic F-117 Nigthhawk stealth attack aircraft, which was officially retired from service in 2008, in a military exercise

The F-117 Nigthhawk is a futuristic American stealth attack aircraft that was decommissioned many years ago. Despite this, the US Air Force continues to use the aircraft.

Here's What We Know

At the end of May, we wrote that the F-117 Nigthhawk were involved in the Northern Eagle 2023 military exercise, which took place at Elmendorf-Richardson Air Force Base (Elmendorf-Richardson), Alaska. This time the aircraft took part in Northern Lightning 2023.

The attack aircraft were redeployed to Duluth Air National Guard Base, Minnesota. A total of 60 aircraft from the Air Force, National Guard, Marine Corps and U.S. Navy are participating in the exercise.

The event began on 7 August and will run until 18 August. The exercise is primarily focused on suppressing and destroying enemy air defence systems and providing air support to ground troops.

The F-117 Nigthhawk was decommissioned in 2008. The US Air Force shipped 45 aircraft to Nevada for storage. Each cost approximately $111 million. In total, the US Department of Defence spent nearly $6.6 billion to build 64 aircraft. Some of the remaining stealth attack aircraft will continue to fly for at least another 11 years.

The aircraft are equipped with two F404-F1D2 propulsion systems. The maximum flight speed is 993 km/h. The F-117 Nigthhawk has a range of 1,720 kilometres and a combat radius of 860 kilometres. During flight, the stealth attack aircraft can climb to an altitude of almost 14 kilometres.

Source: @zpnphotography