Top 10 Most Expensive Military Aircraft in the World
We present to you the top 10 most expensive military aircraft in the world, according to the Internet projects Air Force Technology, Money Inc, and Aero Time.
The principle “You get what you pay for” is often applied to consumer goods, but this saying is perfect when it comes to weapons spending.
For example, the creation of military aircraft, cost tens, if not hundreds of millions of dollars. It is a technologically advanced weapon capable of wreaking havoc and destruction almost anywhere on Earth.
Most Expensive Military Aircraft in the World
1. B-2 Spirit – $2.1 billion
The Northrop B-2 Spirit is the Most Expensive Military Aircraft in the world, also known as the Stealth Bomber.
It is an American strategic heavy bomber using stealth technology designed to break through dense air defense systems; the B-2 Spirit’s mission is to deliver conventional or nuclear weapons.
The original cost of the most expensive production aircraft in history was $ 737 million, making it the most expensive aircraft ever built.
However, due to modernization and adjustments in 1997, its total cost reached $ 2.1 billion. The B-2 Spirit costs $ 135,000 an hour to run.
2. F-22 Raptor – $350 million
The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor is a fifth-generation, single-seat, twin-engine, all-weather tactical stealth fighter designed for the United States Air Force. This was “their answer” to our improved MiG-29 and Su-27.
A product of the United States Air Force’s Advanced Tactical Fighter program, this aircraft was designed primarily as an air superiority fighter but has additional capabilities, including ground attack, electronic warfare, and reconnaissance functions.
This human-made predator can shoot down enemy cruise missiles, fly long distances at supersonic speeds, and avoid almost all types of radars.
3. C17A Globemaster III – $328 million
The C17A is a military transport aircraft, but it was designed for emergencies. He can deliver military equipment, soldiers, and vehicles anywhere worldwide.
The Globemaster III is also used to transport soldiers, tanks, and other vehicles deep into war zones, conduct medical evacuations, and participate in amphibious operations.
This ability gives the US military a distinct advantage over adversaries in a land-based conflict.
4. P-8A Poseidon – $ 290 million
This militarized version of the Boeing 737-800ERX fights submarines, uses surface forces, blocks shipping, and serves as electronic intelligence.
Its arsenal includes torpedoes, depth charges, SLAM-ER missiles, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and other weapons. He can drop and control sonar buoys.
5. E-2D Advanced Hawkeye – $232 million
In August 2007, the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, an upgraded version of the E-2 Hawkeye, took to the air for the first time.
It differed from its predecessor in many technological improvements, including the ability to communicate and coordinate with all coastal, land, and open sea vessels. The upgrade also included electronic and mechanical Active Scanning Radar (APY-9).
The E-2D features a fully integrated all-glass tactical cockpit, advanced mission computers, enhanced electronic support, and an upgraded suite of communications and data links.
The latest version of the aircraft is equipped with a flight control system and two Allison / Rolls-Royce T56-A-427A turboprop engines (3800 kW).
6. F-35C Joint Strike Fighter – $131.2 million
Developing one of the world’s most expensive combat aircraft and the first US Navy stealth aircraft was costly and challenging for the US Department of Defense.
Most of the deficiencies were addressed during the design and development phase, but the fact that the program’s total cost is $ 400 billion has led to several new problems.
The Pentagon sought to speed up the production of the F-35C so that the country’s navy could bring the new aircraft into its fleet much faster, but price negotiations stalled the whole deal. There were few orders from foreign buyers for $ 131.2 million per plane.
However, in 2019, the United States Navy Commander and the United States Marine Corps’ Deputy Aviation Commandant jointly announced that the aircraft carrier variant of the Joint Strike Fighter, the F-35C Lightning II, met all the requirements for it. These aircraft will replace the F-14 and earlier F / A-18s.
7. F-35B Lightning II – $131.6 million
The US Marine Corps has opted for the new F-35B fighters, short take-off, and vertical-landing variants (using STOVL technology).
Such aircraft can take off and land from helicopter carriers and multipurpose landing craft equipped with a flight deck. They can also take off and land, usually when longer runways are available at the main bases.
By the way, Lockheed Martin, the developer of the F-35B, has officially recognized that the STOVL concept, albeit with significant changes, comes from the Soviet prototype, the Yakovlev Design Bureau Yak-141.
8. F-35 Lightning II – $122 million
This winged combat vehicle is entirely invisible to enemy radars without sacrificing either speed or weapons. It can serve as a fighter-bomber and conduct aerial combat if needed.
The F-35 also can perform vertical maneuvers, making it the first jet fighter to have this take-off capability. Although in the ranking of the most expensive military aircraft, Lightning II occupies only the eighth line,
It is the most expensive aircraft in the history of aviation in terms of production and other costs, including consulting and technical support, pilot training for new aircraft, ancillary equipment, and more—all this cost 345 billion dollars.
9. Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey – $118 million
The multipurpose combat tiltrotor (which combines the advantages of an aircraft and a helicopter) made its maiden flight in March 1989.
However, accidents during flight tests and unstable funding led to delays in the release of this model.
It was only in 2007 that the aircraft entered service with the United States Marine Corps. The US Air Force introduced its version of the plane (CV-22B) in 2009, and the US Navy plans to use the CMV-22B variant in 2021.
The V-22 has the unique ability to take off and land vertically, like a helicopter, but has a fixed-wing aircraft’s range, speed, and take-off weight.
10. Chengdu J-20 Black Eagle – $110 million
The fifth-generation single-seat stealth fighter (according to Western classification), produced by the Chinese company Chengdu Aerospace Corporation, made its first flight in January 2011.
Since March 2017, it has been “put on an allowance” in the Air Force of the People’s Republic of China. Each J-20 is worth about $ 110 million, and the program’s total cost is estimated at about $ 4.4 billion. Several media outlets reported that the Chinese fighter was equipped with Russian AL-31FN engines designed for fourth-generation fighters. In the future, the car will receive an improved AL-41 engine.
The J-20 reaches high altitudes (ceiling – 20,000 meters) at a supersonic speed of about 2,100 km / h. It has a combat radius of 2,000 kilometers and a range of 5,500 kilometers.
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