The U.S. Air Force has awarded a sole-source contract for new cartridge- and propellant-actuated devices to support the tailhook systems on its handful of operational F-117 Nighthawk stealth jets. Despite being officially retired in 2008, the Air Force continues flying the aircraft from Tonopah Test Range Airport in Nevada for research, testing, and training through at least 2034.
The tailhook on the F-117 is an unusual feature for a stealth aircraft. To preserve its radar-evading shape, the emergency hook is housed in a flush compartment behind a panel that is explosively jettisoned when deployed. The Air Force’s order includes the "Tail Hook Panel Pyrotechnic Assembly" and "Tail Hook Panel Initiator," which are small shaped charges and detonators used to blast the panel clear before the hook drops down.
The Nighthawk’s continued use as a test platform and ‘red air’ aggressor relies on its unique radar and infrared signatures, which differ sharply from modern jets. Maintaining the fleet has also required certifying the KC-46 Pegasus tanker to refuel the F-117 in flight, a capability first delivered in 2019. With the jets slated to fly for nearly another decade, the Air Force will need to keep ordering specialized parts to keep their tailhooks functional and safe.
