What happens to older aircraft that are being replaced in a modernization process ?

Phasing out older aircraft is part of the process of modernization in any air force. My question is what happens to those that are being replaced?

Take the PLAAF for example, is there any standard 'recycling procedure' for their(old aircraft) parts or would they be sold to poorer countries as 2ndhand "old but still usable machines". Or would they be converted and modified for civilian utilization? or are they just gonna end up in the junkyards?

Any1?

Re: What happens to older aircrafts that are being replaced in a modernization proces

They can be converted to drones for dogfight practices, etc.

Re: What happens to older aircrafts that are being replaced in a modernization proces

target drone for use as well a flying bulls eye.
bone yards for spare parts as a few will keep flying but eventual it's chopping time.
Mounted at base gates a few are stripped and mounted in a sick kind of aircraft taxidermy
Sold too allies at a discount for either use or spare parts the lucky ones

Re: What happens to older aircrafts that are being replaced in a modernization proces

"Reduced to produce" is a very old expression ( around WWII ). The material has a well defined composition so metals at least are easily recycled.

Re: What happens to older aircrafts that are being replaced in a modernization proces

most of them are used for drones. I don't know how many and what kind of work they've done on them, but that's what happened to some retired J-6s.

Re: What happens to older aircrafts that are being replaced in a modernization proces

Well... some of the older aircrafts can be moved to the second line units if these aircrafts still had enough life in their airframe.

Re: What happens to older aircrafts that are being replaced in a modernization proces

Possibly, convert them to UAVs that are either loaded with weapons for automated combat and/or used as decoys to cover the more expensive and effective assets in a saturation attack.

Re: What happens to older aircrafts that are being replaced in a modernization proces

Actually I am wondering, can these be converted to something like short or medium range missiles that can be use to strike at enemy's valuable assets?

Re: What happens to older aircrafts that are being replaced in a modernization proces

It's probably cheaper to build the missiles than converting the old aircraft to UAVs and maintaining them. OTOH, if each of the UAV carries 4 attacking missiles, the opponent's air defence will have to handle possibly 5 attacking targets, the UAV included.

Re: What happens to older aircraft that are being replaced in a modernization process

The word AIRCRAFT is both singular and plural. If English is your second language I know it can be confusing. No problem..carry on.

bd popeye super moderator