25 of the Oldest Aircraft Still in Action With the US Military

No nation on Earth comes close to summoning the aerial firepower wielded by the United States. Since the end of World War II, the country has produced some of the most lethal fighters and bombers on the planet, not to mention highly effective transport and surveillance aircraft. You might be surprised at the number of planes built in the early years of the Cold War that are still in service in the U.S. military today.

While compiling this list of 25 of the oldest aircraft still used by the U.S. military, our primary source was the World Directory of Modern Aircraft. We also drew on information from Aerospaceweb.org and flightgoal.com. The data from the World Directory of Modern Aircraft are constantly changing, and we used the most current data we could find.

According to the most accurate figures, the United States has 13,354 aircraft spread among every major branch of the military. The total number of jets, planes, and helicopters is greater than the totals of the next five nations combined. Not all the airplanes are American-made; some have been produced by Canada, Spain, and allies of the United States.

Boeing B-52 Stratofortress

One of the United States military’s most famous and most feared aircraft, the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress can trace its ancestry to the renowned strategic bombers from World War II.

The lethal aircraft was first flown in 1952 and has served in theaters all over the world for the United States Air Force. It was a mainstay in the American bombing campaigns over Vietnam in the 1960s and 1970s. Seventy-four of these planes are in service today.

Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules

The Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules is one of Lockheed’s flagship aircraft, and it lives up to its name. It was first flown in 1954 and has been modernized over the years. The Hercules is versatile and durable.

Its roles include transport, search and rescue, aerial refueling, and tactical responsibilities. It is a stalwart in the United States Air Force, and 309 planes remain in service.

De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver

The De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver first went into service for the United States military in 1947, just as the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union intensified. The role of this aircraft was as a flight trainer.

Two of these venerable planes are still in service, flying for the U.S. Navy. It is the oldest aircraft in military service.

Beechcraft T-34 Mentor

The Beechcraft T-34 Mentor, produced in the wake of World War II, is the second-oldest aircraft in the service of the American military, first flying in 1948. There are 78 T-34 Mentors still flying.

The planes are used as primary training aircraft for both the United States and the Marine Corps. Japan and the Philippines also have enlisted the Mentors.

De Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter

First flown in 1951, the de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter was produced in land-based and seaplane versions and can take short takeoff and landing. Its predecessor was the DHC-2 Beaver.

The aircraft is known for its flexibility and longevity and has been used all over the world. The Canadian-built plane—just one is in service—serves as a training aircraft for the United States Navy.

Lockheed U-2 (Dragon Lady)

The U-2 (not the Irish ban) became a symbol of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union when the spy plane was shot down in 1960, and pilot Francis Gary Powers was captured.

The U-2 was first flown in 1955, and it is known for its surveillance and special mission capabilities. There are 30 of their aircraft still in service with the United States Air Force.

Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker

With 396 aircraft in service, the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker is the workhorse aerial tanker and refueling plane for the United States Air Force. The plane first flew in 1956.

The Stratotanker is crucial to the American military’s strategic and tactical-use operations. Besides the United States, the Stratotanker can be found in the aerial fleets of France and Turkey. The Boeing KC-46 is slated to succeed the venerable Stratotanker.

Lockheed EP-3 Orion / ARIES / ARIES II

First flown in 1958, the Lockheed EP-3 Orion / ARIES / ARIES II is a special-mission aircraft modeled on the highly regarded P-3 Orion, a four-engine, fixed-wing plane. Its focus is on Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) electronic intelligence.

Twelve of these types of aircraft are still in service with the United States Navy. In addition to the U.S., Japan also operates this plane.

Northrop F-5 Tiger II

Northrop developed the fast and nimble F-5 Tiger II when the Cold War burned hotter in the 1950s. More than 2,000 were built after it first flew in 1959, and it was part of the aerial arsenals of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and America’s allies.

It was armed with cannons and missiles and later outfitted with a bomb capacity. The 42 planes in service today are used as training aircraft.

Lockheed P-3 Orion

The Lockheed P-3 Orion was first flown in 1959 and introduced into service in 1969. The United States Navy used it for reconnaissance and maritime patrol. Lockheed constructed 757 of these planes, and 52 remain in service.

The aircraft was also built by the Japanese manufacturer Kawasaki. The Orion was found in air forces all over the world.

Northrop T-38 Talon

The Northrop T-38 Talon has been the main training aircraft for the United States Navy and Air Force for decades. It was first flown in 1959 and entered service in 1961.

Since then, more than 1,000 have been produced. There are 455 still in use, and it is a favored jet trainer for many of America’s allies.

Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye

First flown as a prototype in 1960, the Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye joined the United States Navy in 1964 to perform an airborne early-warning and control role. Its radome over the fuselage and its four-finned tail are its distinct features.

The aircraft can be stored aboard aircraft carriers because of its folding wings feature. There are 84 of these E-2 Hawkeyes still in use for special missions and training aircraft.

Boeing C-135 Stratolifter

Another Cold War-era veteran aircraft is the Boeing C-135 Stratolifter, which is serving in the United States Air Force. The plane was developed in the 1950s for transport purposes.

The four-engine Stratolifter first flew in June 1961 and entered service later that year. There are 27 planes in limited service today, and they are utilized for special missions, reconnaissance, crew training, and observation.

Beechcraft King Air

The popular Beechcraft King Air serves both civilian and military markets, performing in various roles, including as a training aircraft. It was first flown in 1963 and went into service the following year.

About 3,100 of these planes have been produced since then. The United States military branch that employs the Beechcraft King Air is the United States Army.

Grumman C-2 Greyhound

The C-2 Greyhound is the main fixed-wing transportation aircraft of the United States Navy, which can be transported by aircraft carriers. There are 27 planes in service, and the Greyhound first flew in 1964.

It began service in 1966 in a tactical role, and over the next 25 years, two variants were produced: the C-2A and the C-2A(R). The government plans on phasing out the Greyhound.

De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter

The De Havilland airplane makers from Canada have a well-earned reputation, and the DHC-6 Twin Otter has helped burnish its credibility. The twin-engine aircraft, developed from the single-engine DHC-3 Otter, first flew in 1965 and entered service the following year.

It was used for transportation by the United States Army and Air Force. Out of the 985 planes constructed, six remain in service.

Lockheed AC-130

The Lockheed AC-130 gunship is a variant of the storied C-130 Hercules. It first flew in 1966 and entered service in 1968, seeing action in the Vietnam War. These lethal four-engined aircraft have automatic cannon and field guns on their port sides.

The AC-130 can operate in all weather and low-light conditions. A total of 27 planes remain in service for the United States Air Force.

Boeing 737

Also known as the C-40A, the Boeing 737 is mainly known as a civilian aircraft. It was first flown in 1967 and went into service shortly afterward, and it has been in production since then. Many federal government branches use the aircraft for transport.

The 15 planes used for military service come under the auspices of the United States Navy.

Lockheed C-5 Galaxy

Seemingly as big as its name, the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy was produced to haul immense numbers of men and equipment during the Cold War era. It entered service for the United States Air Force in 1970, two years after the C-5 Galaxy first flew.

One hundred thirty-one C-5 Galaxies were constructed. The aircraft was never exported, and it remains in service with 52 planes.

Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner

Originally developed as a regional plane, the Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner first flew in 1969 and went into service three years later. More than 600 jets were produced until 2001, some for military use.

The military used the aircraft for reconnaissance, fighter training, and utility. The United States Navy assumed operation of the aircraft, where 20 jets operate today.

Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II

Also called the warthog, the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II first flew in 1972 and was produced as a tank killer starting in 1977 to thwart the Soviet armor threat in Europe during the Cold War. Among its more fearsome features is an autocannon located under its nose.

From 1977 to 1984, the United States produced 716 of the aircraft. Today, 286 of these air monsters roam the skies for the United States Air Force.

CASA C-212 Aviocar

Made in Spain, the aviation company CASA rose to the challenge put forth by the Spanish Air Force, which wanted a two-engine, 18-seat cargo carrier that could be used by civilians. It made its first flight in 1971.

The airplane’s boxy-looking fuselage wouldn’t win design awards; however, its low maintenance and retractable rear ramp recommended it. The U.S. Army operates five of them for transport purposes.

Boeing E-3 Sentry

As the name suggests, the Boeing E-3 Sentry is an early-warning aircraft for the United States Air Force. The Sentry was modified from the civilian Boeing 707. Its first flight was in 1972, and from 1977 to 1992, 68 were built, with 31 still active.

In addition to the United States Air Force, the plane has served in the Royal Air Force and with NATO.

Cessna Citation

The twin-engine Cessna Citation is known as the transportation of choice for business people. It has performed as a civilian jet since it first flew in 1972, and about 7,500 planes have been constructed since then.

The versatile aircraft has found a transport role for the military in non-combat functions in support. About 40 planes are used by the United States Marines and the Army.

Boeing F-15 Eagle

The F-15 Eagle first flew in 1972 as the Vietnam War was winding down, and after its debut in 1976, the fighter has owned the skies. It is peerless in battle and has been tested in multiple combat theaters worldwide.

About 1,200 units have been produced, and 236 remain in service for the United States Air Force. Its offspring is the F-15E Strike Eagle.