Military
These Are the Air Force’s Oldest and Newest Aircraft
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To remain one of the world’s most powerful countries, America must continually reassess its most advanced defense strategies. The United States is known for spending large sums on national security, training a massive army, and possessing the extraordinary ability to defend itself. Aircraft used in war strategies are an integral part of U.S. defense planning. On the cusp of China’s claims that they will begin using AI operated aircraft against their adversaries, the need for the U.S. Air Force to keep up with the latest aerial technology is stronger than ever.
Though new and improved technology is of great interest to the Air Force, they also make use of several aircraft that are decades old, including trainers, fighter jets, and tankers. (These are the aircraft used by the most nations and military forces.)
Our staff at 24/7 Wall St. found the newest and oldest aircraft listed in an article published in Air and Space Forces Magazine, “2023 USAF & USSF Almanac: Equipment”. Rankings were based on average years in operation, and craft with less than 10 units in service were excluded.
When it comes to the oldest aircraft still employed by the Air Force, the A-10C Thunderbolt II is the clear winner. At just over 41 years old, it is no surprise that this plane cannot compete with modern fighter jets. However, it serves its purpose through ground attacks and close-air support. And despite its age, the Thunderbolt reaches an average speed of 400 mph.
In contrast, one of America’s newest jets is the fifth generation F-35 Lighting II. Taking its name from the WWII P-38 Lightning, the F-35 is designed for stealth, with excellent radar denial capabilities. (These are the most widely used stealth planes.)
Why We Are Covering This
As tensions rise among various countries, most notably Ukraine and Israel, warfare remains in the forefront of our minds. The potential for the United States to enter into conflict with foreign adversaries looms large. As technology transitions from manpower to Artificial Intelligence, a modern sort of Cold War has emerged, with nations competing for the latest advanced aerial technology. Ever since planes took to the skies, our Air Force has been a major player in American security. Both old and new, these fighters and tankers help secure our nation’s defense.
Here are the oldest and newest aircraft in the Air Force:
40. HH-60W
As of 2023, the Air Force’s HH-60W helicopters are an average age of 1.1 years old. They have been in active service for 24 years and have never served in the National Guard and Air Force Reserve.
39. KC-46A
The Air Force’s KC-46A tankers are an average age of 2.19 years old as of 2023. They have been in service for 48 years and active in the Air Force for 29 years. They have served in the National Guard and Air Force Reserve for 19 years.
38. F-35A Lightning II
As of 2023, F-35A Lightning II fighters are an average age of 4.28 years. The Air Force employs 354 of these craft, with 334 active in the Air Force. F-35s have served in the National Guard and Air Force Reserve for 20 years.
37. AC-130J Ghostrider
The Air Force’s AC-130J Ghostriders are special operations craft. They are an average age of 4.34 years old as of 2023. There are 29 aircraft in service, all of which are active in the Air Force. They have never served in the National Guard and Air Force Reserve.
36. HC-130J Combat King II
As of 2023, the Air Force’s HH-130J Combat King II tankers are an average age of 6 years. There are 39 aircraft in service, and 21 are active in the Air Force. They have served in the National Guard and Air Force Reserve for 18 years.
35. MC-130J Commando II
The MC-130J Commando II is a special operations craft. They have an average age of 6.08 years as of 2023. There are 54 aircraft in service, which are all active in the Air Force. They have never served in the National Guard or Air Force Reserve.
34. MQ-9A Reaper
The Air Force’s MQ-9A Reapers are used for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and communications. They are an average age of 6.22 years as of 2023. There are 338 aircraft in service, and 314 are active in the Air Force. They have served in the National Guard and Air Force Reserve for 24 years.
33. CV-22B Osprey
The CV-22B Osprey are part of special operations forces. They are an average age of 9.3 years old. The Air Force employs 52 aircraft, all of which are active in the Air Force. They have never served in the National Guard and Air Force Reserve.
32. RQ-4B Global Hawk
The Air Force’s RQ-4B Global Hawks are used for reconnaissance, intelligence, and surveillance. They are an average age of 11.45 years old as of 2023. There are 11 aircraft in service, all of which are active in the Air Force. They have never served in the National Guard and Air Force Reserve.
31. C-130J Super Hercules
As of 2023, the Air Force’s C-130J Super Hercules are transport craft with an average age of 12.2 years old. There are 151 aircraft in service, and 101 are active in the Air Force. They have served in the National Guard and Air Force Reserve for 50 years.
30. F-22A Raptor
The Air Force’s F-22A Raptor fighters are an average age of 16.22 years as of 2023. There are 185 aircraft in service, and 165 are active in the Air Force. They have served in the National Guard and Air Force Reserve for 20 years.
29. C-17A Globemaster III
The C-17A Globemaster III is a transport craft with an average age of 20.04 years as of 2023. There are 222 aircraft in service, and 146 are active in the Air Force. They have served in the National Guard and Air Force Reserve for 76 years.
28. WC-130J Hercules
As of 2023, the Air Force’s WC-130J Hercules are used for surveillance, intelligence, and reconnaissance. Their average age is 21.45 years old. There are 10 aircraft in service, but none are active in the Air Force. They have served in the National Guard and Air Force Reserve for 10 years.
27. E-8C JSTARS
The E-8C JSTARS are employed for the purposes of surveillance, reconnaissance, and intelligence. They are an average of 21.7 years old as of 2023. There are 12 aircraft in service, but none are active in the Air Force. They have served in the National Guard and Air Force Reserve for 12 years.
26. HH-60G Pave Hawk
As of 2023, the Air Force’s HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters are an average age of 27.14 years old. There are 74 aircraft in service, and 40 are active in the Air Force. They have served in the National Guard and Air Force Reserve for 34 years.
25. B-2A Spirit
The Air Force’s B-2A Spirit bombers are an average age of 27.35 years old as of 2023. There are 20 aircraft in service, all of which are active in the Air Force. They have never served in the National Guard and Air Force Reserve.
24. RC-26B Condor
The Air Force’s RC-26B Condors are used for the purposes of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. They are an average age of 27.4 years old. There are 11 aircraft in service, but none are active in the Air Force. They have served in the National Guard and Air Force Reserve for 11 years.
23. C-130H Hercules
The C-130H Hercules are transport craft. They are an average age of 29.53 years old as of 2023. There are 128 aircraft in service, but none are active in the Air Force. C-130s have served in the National Guard and Air Force Reserve for 128 years.
22. F-15E Strike Eagle
As of 2023, the Air Force’s F-15E Strike Eagle fighters are an average age of 30.43 years old. There are 218 aircraft in service, all of which are active in the Air Force. They have never served in the National Guard and Air Force Reserve.
21. F-16D Fighting Falcon
The Air Force’s F-16D Fighting Falcon fighters are an average age of 31.72 years. There are 145 aircraft in service, and 98 are active in the Air Force. They have served in the National Guard and Air Force Reserve for 47 years.
20. F-16C Fighting Falcon
As of 2023, the Air Force’s F-16C Fighting Falcon fighters are an average age of 32.07 years. There are 752 aircraft in service, and 426 are active in the Air Force. They have served in the National Guard and Air Force Reserve for 326 years.
19. C-5M Super Galaxy
The C-5M Super Galaxy is a transport craft. These particular planes have an average age of 35.32 years as of 2023. There are 52 aircraft in service, 36 of which are active in the Air Force. They have served in the National Guard and Air Force Reserve for 16 years.
18. B-1B Lancer
As of 2023, the B-1B Lancer bombers have an average age of 35.4 years. There are 45 aircraft in service, all of which are active in the Air Force. They have never served in the National Guard and Air Force Reserve.
17. QF-16C
The QF-16C fighters have an average age of 35.82 years as of 2023. There are 60 aircraft in service, all of which are active in the Air Force. They have never served in the National Guard and Air Force Reserve.
16. LC-130H Hercules
The LC-130H Hercules is a transport craft. These particular planes have an average age of 37.06 years as of 2023. There are 10 aircraft in service, but none are active in the Air Force. They have served in the National Guard and Air Force Reserve for 10 years.
15. F-15D Eagle
As of 2023, the F-15D Eagle fighters have an average age of 37.42 years. There are 18 aircraft in service, 4 of which are active in the Air Force. They have served in the National Guard and Air Force Reserve for 14 years.
14. C-21A Learjet
The C-21A Learjet is a transport craft. These particular planes have an average age of 37.5 years as of 2023. There are 19 aircraft in service, all of which are active in the Air Force. They have never served in the National Guard and Air Force Reserve.
13. KC-10A Extender
As of 2023, the KC-10A Extender tankers are an average of 37.61 years old. There are 36 aircraft in service, all of which are active in the Air Force. They have never served in the National Guard and Air Force Reserve.
12. F-15C Eagle
The F-15C Eagle fighters are an average age of 38.25 years as of 2023. There are 185 aircraft in service, 59 of which are active in the Air Force. They have served in the National Guard and Air Force Reserve for 126 years.
11. QF-16A [i]
The QF-16A [i] fighters have an average age of 38.72 years as of 2023. There are 14 aircraft in service, all of which are active in the Air Force. They have never served in the National Guard and Air Force Reserve.
10. U-2S Dragon Lady
The U-2S Dragon Lady is used for surveillance, reconnaissance, and communications. As of 2023, they are an average of 39.85 years old. There are 27 aircraft in service, all of which are active in the Air Force. They have never served in the National Guard and Air Force Reserve.
9. A-10C Thunderbolt II
The A-10C Thunderbolt II fighters have an average age of 41.1 years as of 2023. There are 281 aircraft in service, 142 of which are active in the Air Force. They have served in the National Guard and Air Force Reserve for 139 years.
8. TH-1H Iroquois (trainer)
As of 2023, the TH-1H Iroquois Trainer helicopters are an average age of 41.53 years old. There are 28 aircraft in service, all of which are active in the Air Force. They have never served in the National Guard and Air Force Reserve.
7. E-3G Sentry (AWACS)
The E-3G Sentry (AWACS) is used for communications, surveillance, and intelligence. These particular planes are an average age of 42.97 years old as of 2023. There are 23 aircraft in service, all of which are active in the Air Force. They have never served in the National Guard and Air Force Reserve.
6. C-12C Huron
The C-12C Huron is a transport craft. As of 2023, these particular planes are an average age of 46.17 years old. There are 16 aircraft in service, all of which are active in the Air Force. They have never served in the National Guard and Air Force Reserve.
5. UH-1N Iroquois
The UH-1N Iroquois helicopters have an average age of 50.59 years as of 2023. There are 63 aircraft in service, all of which are active in the Air Force. They have never served in the National Guard and Air Force Reserve.
4. RC-135W Rivet Joint
The RC-135W Rivet Joint is used for surveillance, communications, and intelligence. As of 2023, these particular planes have an average age of 59.07 years. There are 12 aircraft in service, all of which are active in the Air Force. They have never served in the National Guard and Air Force Reserve.
3. KC-135R Stratotanker
As of 2023, the KC-135R Stratotankers are an average of 60.6 years. There are 330 aircraft in service, 128 of which are active in the Air Force. They have served in the National Guard and Air Force Reserve for 202 years.
2. B-52H Stratofortress
B-52H Stratofortress bombers are an average age of 60.8 years as of 2023. There are 76 aircraft in service, 58 of which are active in the Air Force. They have served in the National Guard and Air Force Reserve for 18 years.
1. KC-135T Stratotanker
KC-135T Stratotankers are an average age of 62.61 years as of 2023. There are 45 aircraft in service, 21 of which are active in the Air Force. They have served in the National Guard and Air Force Reserve for 24 years.
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