Why did they retire the F-17 nighthawk stealth fighter?

Question

Why did they retire the F-17 nighthawk stealth fighter?

Answer 1

If you mean the F-117, it was replaced by the F-22 and F-35.

Answer 2

Well, the why and "why" are two different things.  Age alone is not a factor, the F-16 is "older".  The real reason is to afford the F-22 and F-35.  If you look at capability versus cost, the F-117 is pretty costly, for the limited role it plays.  Sure, it was a fantastic testbed for stealth technology, but development began in the 60's on the basic design, and when computer technology that enabled controlled flight came on line in the 70's, it begun its now famous secret development and employment.

Answer 3

The decision to retire them was made before they decided to put Raptor's at Holloman.  It was a financial decision.  The F-117 is old steal technology and has been around for 26 years.

Answer 4

The real reason was totally financial.  It was to help pay for the F22.  The Chief of Staff of the USAF said as much.

Answer 5

pretty much all about cost and performance

the f-117 was way too costly to maintain and operate for its limited capabilities which is night,subsonic, precision attack on strategic targets.

so instead, they're using the money that would otherwise go to the f-117 to finance the procurement of the more capable all around weapons like the f-22 and the -35

a secondary reason would be that it was a pioneer in stealth tech and current weapon systems and radars are catching up to the aging technology.

( the USAF even lost one over Iraq to a russian SA-6 surface to air missle)