Top 5 Most Expensive Military Aircraft

In this day and age, there is a great deal of concern over what things cost. As it applies to military aircraft, there is a staggering amount of money involved, whether its a fighter, bomber, electronic warfare, or even newer transport aircraft. “You get what you pay for” is often the case for many consumer goods, but nowhere does this saying ring truer than when it comes to spending on armaments. Typically, the military that has the best financial backing will be the one most capable of overwhelming enemies and maintaining the greatest level of power internationally.

The most expensive military aircraft in the world are technologically advanced weapons that are capable of wreaking devastation on nearly any locale on earth. Of course, the majority of the most expensive aircraft vehicles are owned by the United States armed forces.

So here is the Top 5 most expensive military aircraft in the world:

5. VH-71 Kestrel

One of the most expensive military aircraft, the VH-71 Kestrel is an all-weather, medium-lift helicopter that can be configured for a range of missions including combat search and rescue, tactical troop transport, battlefield support, search and rescue, maritime surveillance, executive transport and airborne mine countermeasures. This helicopter ended up costing a staggering 241 million dollars. Barack Obama actually planned to scrap the helicopters because of cost overruns: they were 50% over budget, but on July 22nd the House Appropriations Committee unanimously approved restoring $485 million to fund the Kestrels.

4. Boeing P-8 Poseidon

The P-8 Poseidon conducts anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare and shipping interdiction, along with an electronic signals intelligence role. This involves carrying torpedoes, depth charges, SLAM-ER missiles, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and other weapons. It is able to drop and monitor sonobuoys. Boeing’s spruced-up military version of its 737 jet, costing 290 million dollars, will be used by the Navy. The P-8A Poseidon entered full production, following a $2,4 billion contract, awarded by the U.S. Navy for a total of 17 aircraft.

3. Boeing C-17 Globemaster III

The C-17 commonly performs strategic airlift missions, transporting troops and cargo throughout the world; additional roles include tactical airlift. This air force military-transport plane is also used to move troops into war zones, perform medical evacuations and conduct airdrop missions. In February 2009, a $2,95 billion contract was awarded to Boeing to deliver 15, C-17s to the U.S. Air Force at $328 million a pop…

2. F-22 Raptor

The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor is a fifth-generation single-seat, twin-engine, all-weather stealth tactical fighter aircraft developed for the United States Air Force. The result of the USAF’s Advanced Tactical Fighter program, the aircraft was designed primarily as an air superiority fighter, but has additional capabilities including ground attack, electronic warfare, and signals intelligence roles. This raptor can shoot down enemy cruise missiles, fly long distances at supersonic speeds and avoid nearly all types of radar detection. All of this comes at a 350 million dollar price tag. The Senate debated over whether to build seven more for a total cost of 1.67 billion dollars, but the project was axed, saving some of taxpayers money.

1. B-2 Spirit

The most expensive military aircraft is B-2 Spirit bomber, which costs 2.2 billion dollars! The Northrop B-2 Spirit, also known as the Stealth Bomber, is an American heavy penetration strategic bomber, featuring low observable stealth technology designed for penetrating dense anti-aircraft defenses; it is a flying wing design with a crew of two. Bomber was so costly that congress cut its initial 1987 purchase order from 132 to just 1. Unfortunately, due to a 2008 crash, there are only 20 left. The B-2 is almost impossible to detect via infrared, acoustic, electromagnetic, visual or radar signals making it valuable but rather costly weapon.