CNN reports that "The Air Force decided to accelerate the retirement of the F-117s to free up money to modernize the rest of the fleet. The F-117 is being replaced by the F-22 Raptor, which also has stealth technology." I guess I can understand their rationale, but I'm surprised that this has happened so soon, especially considering how many aircraft types have been in service for much longer than the F-117. Based on this news, I'm wondering whether we'll even see any Stealth Fighters on the air show circuit this year... :-(

The last F-117s scheduled to fly will leave Holloman on April 21, stop in Palmdale, California, for another retirement ceremony, then arrive on April 22 at their final destination: Tonopah Test Range Airfield in Nevada, where the jet made its first flight in 1981.