How eyewitness reports forced US Air Force to confirm use of retired Nighthawk stealth jet

After numerous civilian reports of sightings, the US Air Force has formally confirmed that it still flies the F-117 Nighthawk for training purposes. Though officially retired from active duty in 2008, the iconic stealth aircraft has continued to be seen in the skies above the US state of Nevada for years.

The Air Force had long remained silent about the aircraft’s post-retirement activities, but with repeated civilian observations and increasing public curiosity, it has now acknowledged that a limited number of F-117s remain operational, serving primarily in training and testing capacities.

Several F-117s are based at the Tonopah Test Range Airport in Nevada, as well as at Groom Lake—better known as Area 51. While the aircraft's continued use was once a tightly held secret, an article by National Security Journal points out that their frequent public sightings over the last decade forced the Air Force to recognise their operational presence. Amateur aviation enthusiasts and researchers helped piece together the extent of the Nighthawk’s quiet second life.

There are several strategic reasons the Air Force still utilises the F-117. Although its technology is considered outdated, the aircraft still offers valuable stealth characteristics. It is ideal for testing next-generation radar systems, infrared tracking, and other sensor technologies. Its stealth profile allows it to serve as a surrogate for potential adversary stealth aircraft during combat training, offering US forces a unique opportunity to refine tactics and prepare for future threats.

According to the article, the F-117 is particularly helpful for developing defences against fifth-generation fighters being produced by countries like China and Russia. Moreover, the aircraft likely serves as a test platform for experimental systems—such as new radar-absorbing coatings, cutting-edge avionics, or even autonomous capabilities—without risking newer and more costly aircraft such as the F-22 Raptor or the forthcoming B-21 Raider. The Air Force is expected to continue using the Nighthawk in this way into the latter half of the 2020s before phasing it out altogether.

Cracks in its iconic reputation

Despite no longer being at the forefront of US airpower, the F-117 continues to hold a special place in aviation history. As the world’s first operational stealth aircraft, the publication recalls how it revolutionised modern air combat.

Developed in secret by Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works division under the “Have Blue” program in the 1970s, its faceted, angular design was revolutionary—intended to reflect radar waves and make the plane almost invisible to radar systems of the time.

When it officially entered service in 1983, the F-117 gave the US an unprecedented ability to penetrate heavily defended airspace without detection. Its success redefined military aviation and ushered in the era of stealth warfare. The aircraft was pivotal in operations like the Gulf War, where it executed precision strikes in environments where other aircraft could not operate safely.

However, the F-117 was not without drawbacks. Its stealth coating was highly sensitive to weather, and the aircraft lacked any onboard defensive systems—relying entirely on pre-mission planning and support.

The 1999 shootdown of an F-117 over Serbia showed the vulnerabilities of even the most advanced designs when exposed to evolving air defence systems. This incident, while rare, signalled that stealth technology alone wasn’t a guarantee of invincibility.

Eventually, the Nighthawk was replaced by newer platforms like the F-22, which offered improved stealth, manoeuvrability, and survivability. But the legacy of the F-117 endures. Every modern stealth aircraft owes something to the breakthroughs pioneered by the Nighthawk. Even as its operational role winds down, its influence on military aviation will remain unmatched.

By Nazrin Sadigova