These Air Force planes are older than their pilot’s parents

24/7 Wall St. Perspectives

• I used data from Air and Space Forces Magazine, “2023 USAF & USSF Almanac: Equipment”.
• When it comes to the oldest aircraft still in service with the Air Force, the A-10C Thunderbolt II is the clear winner.
• Also, 2 dividend legends to be kept forever.

The Air Force, along with the rest of the United States military, is constantly striving to improve the technology and resources available. They are constantly evaluating their national security, training and defense strategies. In the wake of China’s claims that they will begin using AI-operated aircraft against their adversaries, the need for the US Air Force to keep up with the latest in air technology is stronger than ever.

While new and improved technology is of great interest to the Air Force, it also uses several decades-old aircraft, including trainers, fighters and tanks. 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 service, and vessels with fewer than ten units in service were excluded.

When it comes to the oldest aircraft still in service with the Air Force, the A-10C Thunderbolt II is the clear winner. At just over 41 years old, it’s no wonder this plane can’t 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.

Instead, one of America’s newest aircraft is the fifth-generation F-35 Lighting II. Taking its name from the World War II P-38 Lightning, the F-35 is designed for stealth with excellent radar denial capabilities.

Why are we covering this?

As tensions rise between various countries, especially Ukraine and Israel, war remains at the forefront of our minds. The potential for the United States to come into conflict with foreign adversaries is high. As technology moves from manpower to artificial intelligence, a modern type of Cold War has emerged, with nations competing for the latest advanced air technology. Since airplanes took to the skies, our Air Force has been a major player in American security. Both old and new, these fighters and tanks help ensure our nation’s defense.

Here are the oldest and newest aircraft in the Air Force:

40. HH-60W

• Average age in 2023: 1.1 years
• Aircraft in service: 24
• Active in the Air Force: 24
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve: 0
• Type: Helicopter

39. KC-46A

• Average age in 2023: 2.19 years
• Aircraft in service: 48
• Active in the Air Force: 29
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve: 19
• Type: Tank

38. F-35A Lightning II

• Average age in 2023: 4.28 years
• Aircraft in service: 354
• Active in the Air Force: 334
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve: 20
• Type: Fighter/Attack

37. AC-130J Ghostrider

• Average age in 2023: 4.34 years
• Aircraft in service: 29
• Active in the Air Force: 29
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve: 0
• Type: Special Operations Forces

36. HC-130J Combat King II

• Average age in 2023: 6 years
• Aircraft in service: 39
• Active in the Air Force: 21
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve: 18
• Type: Tank

35. MC-130J Commando II

• Average age in 2023: 6.08 years
• Aircraft in service: 54
• Active in the Air Force: 54
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve: 0
• Type: Special Operations Forces

34. MQ-9A Reaper

• Average age in 2023: 6.22 years
• Aircraft in service: 338
• Active in the Air Force: 314
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve: 24
• Type: Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance/Battle Management/Command, Control and Communications

33. CV-22B Osprey

• Average age in 2023: 9.3 years
• Aircraft in service: 52
• Active in the Air Force: 52
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve: 0
• Type: Special Operations Forces

32. RQ-4B Global Hawk

• Average age in 2023: 11.45 years
• Aircraft in service: 11
• Active in the Air Force: 11
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve: 0
• Type: Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance/Battle Management/Command, Control and Communications

31. C-130J Super Hercules

• Average age in 2023: 12.2 years
• Aircraft in service: 151
• Active in the Air Force: 101
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve: 50
• Type: Transport

30. F-22A Raptor

• Average age in 2023: 16.22 years
• Aircraft in service: 185
• Active in the Air Force: 165
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve: 20
• Type: Fighter/Attack

29. C-17A Globemaster III

• Average age in 2023: 20.04 years
• Aircraft in service: 222
• Active in the Air Force: 146
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve: 76
• Type: Transport

28. WC-130J Hercules

• Average age in 2023: 21.45 years
• Aircraft in service: 10
• Active in the Air Force: 0
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve: 10
• Type: Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance/Battle Management/Command, Control and Communications

27. E-8C JSTARS

• Average age in 2023: 21.7 years
• Aircraft in service: 12
• Active in the Air Force: 0
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve: 12
• Type: Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance/Battle Management/Command, Control and Communications

26. HH-60G Pave Hawk

• Average age in 2023: 27.14 years
• Aircraft in service: 74
• Active in the Air Force: 40
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve: 34
• Type: Helicopter

25. B-2A Spirit

• Average age in 2023: 27.35 years
• Aircraft in service: 20
• Active in the Air Force: 20
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve: 0
• Type: Bomber

24. RC-26B Condor

• Average age in 2023: 27.4 years
• Aircraft in service: 11
• Active in the Air Force: 0
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve: 11
• Type: Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance/Battle Management/Command, Control and Communications

23. C-130H Hercules

• Average age in 2023: 29.53 years
• Aircraft in service: 128
• Active in the Air Force: 0
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve: 128
• Type: Transport

22. F-15E Strike Eagle

• Average age in 2023: 30.43 years
• Aircraft in service: 218
• Active in the Air Force: 218
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve: 0
• Type: Fighter/Attack

21. F-16D Fighting Falcon

• Average age in 2023: 31.72 years
• Aircraft in service: 145
• Active in the Air Force: 98
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve: 47
• Type: Fighter/Attack

20. F-16C Fighting Falcon

• Average age in 2023: 32.07 years
• Aircraft in service: 752
• Active in the Air Force: 426
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve: 326
• Type: Fighter/Attack

19. C-5M Super Galaxy

• Average age in 2023: 35.32 years
• Aircraft in service: 52
• Active in the Air Force: 36
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve: 16
• Type: Transport

18. B-1B Lancers

• Average age in 2023: 35.4 years
• Aircraft in service: 45
• Active in the Air Force: 45
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve: 0
• Type: Bomber

17. QF-16C

• Average age in 2023: 35.82 years
• Aircraft in service: 60
• Active in the Air Force: 60
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve: 0
• Type: Fighter/Attack

16. LC-130H Hercules

• Average age in 2023: 37.06 years
• Aircraft in service: 10
• Active in the Air Force: 0
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve: 10
• Type: Transport

15. F-15D Eagle

• Average age in 2023: 37.42 years
• Aircraft in service: 18
• Active in the Air Force: 4
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve: 14
• Type: Fighter/Attack

14. C-21A Learjet

• Average age in 2023: 37.5 years
• Aircraft in service: 19
• Active in the Air Force: 19
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve: 0
• Type: Transport

13. KC-10A Extender

• Average age in 2023: 37.61 years
• Aircraft in service: 36
• Active in the Air Force: 36
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve: 0
• Type: Tank

12. F-15C Eagle

• Average age in 2023: 38.25 years
• Aircraft in service: 185
• Active in the Air Force: 59
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve: 126
• Type: Fighter/Attack

11. QF-16A (i)

• Average age in 2023: 38.72 years
• Aircraft in service: 14
• Active in the Air Force: 14
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve: 0
• Type: Fighter/Attack

10. U-2S Dragon Lady

• Average age in 2023: 39.85 years
• Aircraft in service: 27
• Active in the Air Force: 27
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve: 0
• Type: Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance/Battle Management/Command, Control and Communications

9. A-10C Thunderbolt II

• Average age in 2023: 41.1 years
• Aircraft in service: 281
• Active in the Air Force: 142
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve: 139
• Type: Fighter/Attack

8. TH-1H Iroquois (trainer)

• Average age in 2023: 41.53 years
• Aircraft in service: 28
• Active in the Air Force: 28
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve: 0
• Type: Helicopter

7. E-3G Sentry (AWACS)

• Average age in 2023: 42.97 years
• Aircraft in service: 23
• Active in the Air Force: 23
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve: 0
• Type: Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance/Battle Management/Command, Control and Communications

6. C-12C Huron

• Average age in 2023: 46.17 years
• Aircraft in service: 16
• Active in the Air Force: 16
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve: 0
• Type: Transport

5. UH-1N Iroquois

• Average age in 2023: 50.59 years
• Aircraft in service: 63
• Active in the Air Force: 63
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve: 0
• Type: Helicopter

4. RC-135W rivet joint

• Average age in 2023: 59.07 years
• Aircraft in service: 12
• Active in the Air Force: 12
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve: 0
• Type: Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance/Battle Management/Command, Control and Communications

3. KC-135R Stratotanker

• Average age in 2023: 60.6 years
• Aircraft in service: 330
• Active in the Air Force: 128
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve: 202
• Type: Tank

2. B-52H Stratofortress

• Average age in 2023: 60.8 years
• Aircraft in service: 76
• Active in the Air Force: 58
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve: 18
• Type: Bomber

1. KC-135T Stratotanker

• Average age in 2023: 62.61 years
• Aircraft in service: 45
• Active in the Air Force: 21
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve: 24
• Type: Tank

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