These Air Force Jets Are Older Than Their Pilot’s Parents

24/7 Wall St. Insights

• We used data from Air and Space Forces Magazine, “2023 USAF & USSF Almanac: Equipment.”
• When it comes to the oldest aircraft still employed by the Air Force, the A-10C Thunderbolt II is the clear winner.
• Also, 2 Dividend Legends to Hold Forever.

The Air Force, along with the rest of the United States military, is constantly striving to improve technology and the resources available to them. They are constantly assessing their strategies for national security, training, and defense. On the cusp 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 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. 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 ten 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.

Why We Are Covering This

As tensions rise among various countries, most notably Ukraine and Israel, warfare remains at 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

• Average age in 2023: 1.1 years
• Aircraft in service: 24
• Active in 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 Air Force: 29
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve: 19
• Type: Tanker

38. F-35A Lightning II

• Average age in 2023: 4.28 years
• Aircraft in service: 354
• Active in 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 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 Air Force: 21
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve: 18
• Type: Tanker

35. MC-130J Commando II

• Average age in 2023: 6.08 years
• Aircraft in service: 54
• Active in 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 Air Force: 36
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve: 16
• Type: Transport

18. B-1B Lancer

• Average age in 2023: 35.4 years
• Aircraft in service: 45
• Active in 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 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 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 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 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 Air Force: 36
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve: 0
• Type: Tanker

12. F-15C Eagle

• Average age in 2023: 38.25 years
• Aircraft in service: 185
• Active in 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 Air Force: 128
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve: 202
• Type: Tanker

2. B-52H Stratofortress

• Average age in 2023: 60.8 years
• Aircraft in service: 76
• Active in 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 Air Force: 21
• Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve: 24
• Type: Tanker