Lockheed is continuing to promote a navalised version of its F -117A stealth fighter to the US Navy even though similar moves have been rejected in the past. Lockheed's proposal involves as many as 75 aircraft (the USAF has approximately 45 operational) with reconnaissance and oth _ er support tasks Joining the initial silver bullet strike role. The offer involves fitting the aircraft with afterburning engines to give it the required carrier launch and climbout performance. The need for a new naval strike aircraft has grown in urgency following the cancellation of the A-12 and A/F-X programmes, although the new Joint Advanced Strike Technology (JAST) programme 1s designed to fill this role. Current plans see the A-6 Intruder withdrawn from service by the end of the decade, with the attack role largely falling to the F/A-18 Hornet until the JAST's arrival