[Fury]

Correct, a F-117 was shot down, but not a bomber.

[UofHoustonRepublican]

Heres a side question for anyone out there. What ever happened to the leftover parts of the F117? Were we able ever able to retrieve 'em, or blow 'em up our selves? Whatever happened, I hope the Chinese didn't buy any scraps.

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

The F-117 is a bomber. The F is a misnomer. The Nighthawk has no air-to-air radar and although it has the ability to carry AIM-9's, which are heat seekers, it rarely if ever does. It has no cannon to engage airborne targets. It does not engage in dogfights.

[dglang]

The F in F-117 refers to 'fighter', but the planes dual role is 'fighter-bomber' in that it carries two 2000 pound intelligent bombs. The B-2 is a 'pure' bomber.

The B-52, while able to carry a large bomb load, has no capability to control the intelligent bombs as the F-117 does. During the last days of the Gulf War, the B-52's were to be loaded with the intelligent bombs and be accompanied by an F-117 which would control them as they were released one by from the B-52.

With the advent of the new JDAM bombs which are controlled by the GPS, the need for the F-117 escort would be reduced if we knew the exact coordinates of the targets to be hit.

[Donald Stone]

Slightly off the subject, but is an A-10 warthog considered a "bomber" ? <p.I'm just curious as to what the designation is for that plane.