Less than two decades after the world first got a look at the [F-117 stealth fighter](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-117 “Wikipedia F-117 Article”), the first aircraft built specifically to elude radar, is scheduled for retirement by the Air Force, and some wonder whether the planes mothballing is a bit premature.

The reasons for shelving the plane that played a key role in the first Iraqi war are to make room for such aircraft as the [F-22 Raptor](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-22_Raptor “Wikipedia F-22 Article”), which has been under fire for being too expensive, but the Air Force has reasoned that the F-22 can do what the F-117 does, and more.

Pentagon analysts point out that the F-117’s lifespan will wind up being much shorter than most other Air Force aircraft. It’s due to come out of service in 2008. It’s probably the fastest aircraft retirement since the 1960’s.

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