I was in Okinawa a few weeks ago when a C-130 parked next to us. It was a 1962 E model. Even being generous and assuming it was delivered in 1963, that still makes it a 42 year old airplane! We have to do better than that! It's too bad that Lockheed shut down the H3 line. Those could be cranked out one after another for a whole lot less than the J model.
Gota Love the procurement system for "new" aircraft. I remembered hearing that the C-130 was Congresses baby not the military's.
I know that we cannot afford to get new aircraft every year. However most people think that combat is about weapons and tactics(i.e. warheads on foreheads)... its not....its about supply and logistics. Those advanced combat aircraft are worth less unless they are properly supplied with weapons, people, food, gas the things that they need since they wont kill people at home.
Ever since the end of the cold war the US Military has tried to do more with less, more with less, but theres a point that will backfire especially given the increased op tempos within the past 5 years. You can only use a machine so much until it completely fails. Note that the Air Force has the most money of any of the services.
Speaking of Old aircraft think of the B-52. Many of those have reached 40-50 years of continuous service.
Valin good point about Col Boyd. We discussed him at one of my leadership classes and mentioned how the Air Force Brass refused to acknowledge the OODA LOOOP Until it had been accepted and was being taught by the Marines and Army.