How many T-1 Jayhawk planes have been sent to the scrapyard to avoid spending money on costly engine repairs?

The U.S. Air Force continues to bid farewell to its Raytheon T-1 Jayhawk training aircraft. In December 2024, another plane was sent to the "boneyard" at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, marking the end of the line for the last aircraft stationed at Laughlin Air Force Base, home to the 86th Training Squadron, which operated these planes for nearly three decades. The T-1 Jayhawk fleet was introduced into service from November 1993 until January 1995.

In 2024, it became clear that the U.S. Air Force was prematurely retiring the T-1 Jayhawk training aircraft due to the ordinary issue of costly engine overhauls. At the same time, the plan to replace the T-1 in service involves a combination of simulators and other platforms, notably including the new T-7A Red Hawk aircraft.

Interestingly, the situation with the T-1 Jayhawk is a case where the Air Force and the U.S. Congress shared a common perspective on the future of these aircraft, as noted by the publication Air and Space Forces Magazine.

Indeed, the USAF first requested to retire these aircraft in 2023 and received the "green light" the same year. According to available information, Congress approved the retirement of 50 planes, and 48 of them were sent to the "boneyard" that year.

As per the Air Force's plan, last year an additional 52 aircraft were supposed to be retired, but Congress intervened with the traditional "replacement first, then retirement" approach. Specifically, there was a requirement to implement a new pilot training program first, which extended into the spring of 2024. Consequently, last year, instead of 52 aircraft, 33 were retired, totaling 81 aircraft over the two years. Moreover, there are plans to retire another 22 T-1 Jayhawk aircraft next year.