WASHINGTON — The Air Force likely will order dozens of its F-15 fighter jets permanently grounded because of structural flaws, significantly reducing the number of planes available to protect the United States, officials said Tuesday.
After one fighter broke apart during a simulated dogfight in November, Air Force officials grounded the F-15 fleet, nearly 700 planes. The newest versions were allowed to resume flying shortly afterward, but 440 of the older model F-15s have remained out of service.
The Air Force plans to allow about 260 of the remaining grounded planes to return to duty today. But about 180 will remain idle because of suspected structural flaws.
“Many of them may never fly again,” said a senior Air Force officer. The officer spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation was not yet public.
