The F-15C fleet is to be phased out in favour of the F-15EX. (US Air Force)

The US Air Force (USAF) is requesting to retire 250 aircraft in fiscal year (FY) 2025 as the service attempts to shed older aircraft to gear up for future purchases.

The largest intended divestment is of 65 Boeing F-15C/Ds, which have reached the end of their service lives. The USAF is in the process of replacing the 1980s-vintage F-15C/Ds with brand-new F-15EXs, which can fly farther, carry more, and come equipped with the latest electronics.

The service also hopes to retire 26 F-15Es. While the ground-attack version is newer than the air-superior F-15s, the USAF intends to retire the Eagle subfleet powered by Pratt & Whitney F110-PW-220s while maintaining the F110-PW-229-powered aircraft. The 220-powered aircraft are older and less capable than the 229-powered aircraft, a USAF spokesperson told reporters on 10 March.