24/7 Wall St. Insights
- We used data from the 2024 World Air Forces report from FlightGlobal, an aviation and aerospace industry publication.
- Though the B-52H has been around since the 1950s, it is still in service and has seen many upgrades and advancements through the years.
- Also, 2 Dividend Legends to Hold Forever
In fiscal year 2025, the United States Air Force plans to retire 250 aircraft and purchase 90 new ones. These changes are expected to reduce their fleet to less than 5,000. Before retirement, aircraft often underwent rigorous repair and maintenance by a network of specialized mechanics to keep them in the air. When aircraft are finally retired, they then go to an aircraft boneyard, where they are used for parts or reconditioned.
The B-52H Stratofortress, also known as the B-52 Bomber, has been flown by the United States Air Force for nearly 70 years. This long-range, heavy bomber is a versatile aircraft, able to fly at subsonic speeds and carry nuclear or precision-guided weapons. When the new B-21 Raider, a dual-capable penetrating strike stealth bomber, enters service in 2028, it will be more than 74 years since the B-52H first entered service for the Air Force. For a few years, both aircraft will be in the US fleet at the same time, although eventually, the Air Force plans to replace the B-52s with the new B-21 Raiders.
To identify the oldest and newest combat aircraft in the United States military, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the 2024 World Air Forces report from FlightGlobal, an aviation and aerospace industry publication. We ranked these aircraft according to when they entered service with data from Military Factory, an online database of arms, vehicles, and aircraft. We also included supplemental data on how many of these aircraft are in active service or on order, the type of aircraft, and what military branches they serve in.
Though the B-52H has been around since the 1950s, it and the other older aircraft models still in service have seen many upgrades and advancements through the years. These older aircraft are still used in service next to the newest aircraft, such as the F-35 Lightning II.
Another example of an older aircraft that has proved resilient over the years is the F-15 Eagle, which was first introduced to service in 1976. Currently, there are over 375 of these fighter jets in active service in the U.S. Air Force, with more than 100 on order.
In keeping with its goals of maintaining a technologically advanced fleet, the U.S. military is adding a significant number of F-35s to its arsenal. The Air Force plans to bring 100 B-21s to its fleet later this decade. Although the Raider is not in service yet, it has passed preliminary test flights, and the U.S. Air Force has a few in stock, but this number is undisclosed.
Why This Matters
While the US Air Force is the most powerful in the world, it comes with a high price tag. The Department of the Air Force has requested a $217.5 billion budget request for 2025. This includes $188.1 billion for the Air Force and $29.4 billion for the Space Force, funded by federal tax dollars.
Here is a look at the oldest and newest combat aircraft currently serving in the U.S. military.
14. B-52H
- Year entered service: 1955
- Type: Long-range strategic heavy bomber
- Active aircraft: 72
- Aircraft on order: 0
- Military branches in service: United States Air Force
13. F-15 C/E/EX
- Year entered service: 1976
- Type: Air superiority fighter aircraft
- Active aircraft: 377
- Aircraft on order: 102
- Military branches in service: United States Air Force
12. A-10C
- Year entered service: 1976
- Type: Close-air support / forward air control
- Active aircraft: 270
- Aircraft on order: 0
- Military branches in service: United States Air Force
11. F-16C
- Year entered service: 1978
- Type: Multirole 4th generation fighter aircraft
- Active aircraft: 738
- Aircraft on order: 0
- Military branches in service: United States Air Force
10. AV-8B/+
- Year entered service: 1985
- Type: Short take-off and vertical landing strike aircraft
- Active aircraft: 87
- Aircraft on order: 0
- Military branches in service: United States Marine Corps
9. B-1B
- Year entered service: 1986
- Type: Strategic heavy bomber
- Active aircraft: 42
- Aircraft on order: 0
- Military branches in service: United States Air Force
8. AT-802U
- Year entered service: 1990
- Type: Multirole light aircraft
- Active aircraft: 0
- Aircraft on order: 75
- Military branches in service: United States Air Force
7. B-2
- Year entered service: 1997
- Type: Strategic stealth heavy bomber
- Active aircraft: 17
- Aircraft on order: 0
- Military branches in service: United States Air Force
6. F/A-18 A/C/D/E/F
- Year entered service: 1999
- Type: Carrier-based strike fighter aircraft
- Active aircraft: 561
- Aircraft on order: 76
- Military branches in service: United States Marine Corps, United States Navy
5. F-22
- Year entered service: 2005
- Type: 5th generation air dominance fighter aircraft
- Active aircraft: 178
- Aircraft on order: 0
- Military branches in service: United States Air Force
4. AC-130W
- Year entered service: 2010
- Type: Special operations fixed-wing gunship
- Active aircraft: 3
- Aircraft on order: 0
- Military branches in service: United States Air Force
3. F-35 A/B/C
- Year entered service: 2016
- Type: Multirole 5th generation aircraft
- Active aircraft: 376
- Aircraft on order: 1,855
- Military branches in service: United States Air Force, United States Marine Corps, United States Navy
2. AC-130J
- Year entered service: 2017
- Type: Ground attack / close-air support
- Active aircraft: 29
- Aircraft on order: 0
- Military branches in service: United States Air Force
1. B-21
- Year entered service: Expected 2028
- Type: Long-range strategic stealth bomber
- Active aircraft: 0
- Aircraft on order: 100
- Military branches in service: United States Air Force
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