US BOMBED WRECKAGE OVERNIGHT OF F-15 FIGHTER JET THAT WENT DOWN [Libya]

Reuters ^ | Wed Mar 23, 2011 2:45pm GMT

[tanknetter]

I wondered why they did not bomb the stealth fighter that was shot down a few years ago.

Recall that the F-117 was the parts of LOTS of other legacy planes (F-15, F/A-18) cobbled together into a faceted airframe with anti-radar coatings. The primary mission of which was to attack targets with laser-guided bombs while remaining as unseen as possible to radar. The F-117 lacked its own radar and electronic countermeasures capabilities.

The truly important stuff from the F-117, the anti-radar coatings, would still be salvageable after a bombing. The coatings would just be in smaller pieces.

The F-15Es, on the other hand, have a LOT of modern-day bells/whistles that bombing can take destroy well past the point of reverse-engineering. Advance targeting radar (possible AESA? Can't recall whether the Lakenheath E's have that yet), terrain-following radar, ECM, cockpit displays, etc. Not to mention the missiles (AMRAAMs and AIM-9s, possibly the X variant) it was carrying as well.

[MinuteGal]

I've been wondering why the Beer Looter Guy hasn't shown up at the downed jet wreckage in Libya. Could be a few good pickins for him there.

And whatever happened to Tourist Guy? He hasn't been around for ages. Maybe he's still in Kosovo. I sure miss him.

Leni

[Boogieman]

“The F117 in Bosnia broke apart in the air.
Nothing big enough left to bomb.”

Are you sure about that?

http://defensetech.org/2011/01/24/chinese-spies-may-have-taken-f-117-wreckage/

If the Chinese did grab it, it would help to explain the “accidental” Chinese embassy bombing.

[ErnBatavia]

I kinda like the priest in the bottom pic....doing Last Rites.

[GingisK]

Destroying evidence maybe?

Nope, just keeping secret equipment out of enemy hands.

[FightThePower!]

Then they bobbed the Chinese embassy?

[StormEye]

"Then they bobbed the Chinese embassy?"

But that was all a mistake. Don't you remember?
Accidents always happen in war. Especially in weird purposeless wars like Clinton's "Wag the Dog" Balkans nonsense. Also, I don't remember the Chi-Comms being all that upset about it. They certainly didn't do anything about the incident except issue sternly worded statements and other blather.

[FightThePower!]

I heard a rumor that the Chinese bought the wrecked Stealth fighter, and we bombed Chinese embassy to destroy it.

[fuzzthatwuz]

"And whatever happened to Tourist Guy? He hasn't been around for ages. Maybe he's still in Kosovo. I sure miss him."

On subject, I continue to question the whereabouts of Kilroy.