The F-117 Nighthawk Is Now the J-20 or Su-57 Felon for the U.S. Air Force in Wargames

The F-117 Nighthawk Is Now the J-20 or Su-57 Felon for the U.S. Air Force in Wargames

The F-117 Nighthawk, the world's first operational stealth aircraft, is experiencing a high-tech renaissance as a critical component of 2026 pilot training. Though retired from combat in 2008, a fleet of 45 airframes remains active at the Tonopah Test Range, serving as "Red Team" aggressors to simulate the radar signatures of the Chinese J-20 and Russian Su-57. By possibly integrating artificial intelligence and testing advanced stealth coatings…