The United States military uses some of the most sophisticated aircraft that are equipped with state-of-the-art technology and advanced munitions. Whether it is an air superiority fighter or a large military transport aircraft, those machines cost hundreds of millions to manufacture. This article explores some of the most expensive US military aircraft.

5

Grumman E2-D Advanced Hawkeye

Price in 2024: $232 million

  • Max takeoff weight: 57,500 lb (26,082 kg)
  • Maximum speed: 350 kn (400 mph, 650 km/h)
  • Cruise speed: 256 kn (295 mph, 474 km/h)
  • Ferry range: 1,462 nmi (1,682 mi, 2,708 km)
  • Service ceiling: 34,700 ft (10,600 m)

At the bottom of our list is the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, which will cost $232 million in 2024. The fourth version of the Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye, the E-2D, is an airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft that made its first flight in 2007. The E-2 is the first purpose-built aircraft for AEW tasks. Various versions of the E-2 have been in production since the first variant in 1960.

US Navy

Photo: US Navy

The aircraft is powered by two Allison/Rolls-Royce T56-A turboprop engines, each generating 5,100 shaft horsepower (3,800 kW) of takeoff power. Since 2007, 88 E-2D examples have been produced, and the aircraft remains in active production.

4

Boeing P-8 Poseidon

Price in 2024: $290 million

  • Max takeoff weight: 189,200 lb (85,820 kg)
  • Maximum speed: 564 mph (907 km/h, 490 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 509 mph (815 km/h, 440 kn)
  • Combat range: 1,383 mi (2,225 km, 1,200 NM)
  • Service ceiling: 41,000 ft (12,500 m)

Number four on our list is the Boeing P-8 Poseidon, which will cost $290 million in 2024. The P-8 Poseidon was a maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft developed as a derivative of the Boeing 737-800 commercial airliner. Developed for the United States Navy (USN), it performed its first flight in April 2009 and was introduced to service in November 2013.

800px-US_Navy_P-8_Poseidon_taking_off_at_Perth_Airport

The aircraft is armed with torpedoes and anti-ship missiles and is used in anti-surface warfare anti-submarine warfare, as well as intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. The aircraft is powered by two CFM International CFM56-7B turbofan engines, each generating 27,300 lbf (121 kN) of takeoff power. With a total of 178 examples built since 2009, the aircraft remains in active production.

3

C-17A Globemaster III

Price in 2024: $328 million

  • Max takeoff weight: 585,000 lb (265,352 kg)
  • Cruise speed: 450 kn (520 mph, 830 km/h) (Mach 0.74–0.79)
  • Range: 2,420 NM (2,780 mi, 4,480 km) with 157,000 lb (71,214 kg) payload
  • Ferry range: 6,230 NM (7,170 mi, 11,540 km)
  • Service ceiling: 45,000 ft (14,000 m)

Number three on our list is the McDonnell Douglas/Boeing C-17A Globemaster III, with a 2024 price tag of $328 million. The large military transport aircraft was designed for the United States Air Force (USAF) by McDonnell Douglas in the early 1990s. The aircraft performed its maiden flight in September 1991 and was introduced to service in January 1995.

8352292 - 16x9 - Charleston Airshow 2024 C-17 Globemaster III demonstration [Image 6 of 8]
Photo: Airman 1st Class Adriana Jordan Alcaniz | Joint Base Charleston | US Air Force

Boeing acquired McDonnell Douglas in 1997 and continued production of the Globemaster III. The aircraft is powered by four Pratt & Whitney PW2000 turbofan engines, each generating 40,440 lbf (179.9 kN) of takeoff thrust. A total of 279 examples of the C-17 have been built.

2

F-22 Raptor

Price in 2024: $350 million

  • Max takeoff weight: 83,500 lb (38,000 kg)
  • Maximum speed: Mach 2.25, 1,500 mph (2,414 km/h) at high altitude
  • Supercruise: Mach 1.82, 1,220 mph (1,963 km/h) at high altitude
  • Range: 1,600 NM (1,800 mi, 3,000 km) or more with 2 external fuel tanks
  • Combat range: 460 NM (530 mi, 850 km)
  • Service ceiling: 65,000 ft (20,000 m)

The runner up on our list of most expensive US military jets is the Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22 Raptor with the 2024 price tag of $350 million. The all-weather twin-engine fighter jet is designed for the USAF as part of the advanced tactical fighter program. The aircraft is used for close air support, ground attack, electronic warfare, and intelligence missions.

An F-22 Raptor with the Air Combat Command F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team

Photo: USAF

The type performed its first flight in September 1997 and entered military service in December 2005. The F-22 Raptor is powered by two Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 augmented turbofan engines, each generating 26,000 lbf (116 kN) thrust.

Although the USAF intended to acquire 750 units, it was later scaled down to 381, of which only 187 were eventually built. The high production cost of the aircraft and the development of the more versatile F-35 Lightning II led to the suspension of the F-22 program.

1

B-2 Spirit

Price in 2024: $737 million

  • Max takeoff weight: 376,000 lb (170,600 kg)
  • Maximum speed: 630 mph (1,010 km/h, 550 kn) at 40,000 ft (12,000 m) altitude / Mach 0.95 at sea level
  • Cruise speed: 560 mph (900 km/h, 487 kn) at 40,000 ft (12,000 m) altitude
  • Range: 6,900 mi (11,000 km, 6,000 NM)
  • Service ceiling: 50,000 ft (15,200 m)

Topping our list is the Northrop B-22 Spirit, which has a whopping price tag of $737 million. The stealth bomber with low-observable capabilities was designed in the late 1980s to penetrate anti-aircraft defenses. With the capability to drop conventional and thermonuclear bombs, the aircraft has a payload capacity of 40,000 lb.

Northrop B-2 Spirit - American strategic bomber

Photo: Mike Mareen | Shutterstock

Four General Electric F118-GE-100 turbofan engines power the B-2 flying wing, each generating 17,300 lbf (77 kN) of takeoff thrust. Although the US military planned to purchase 132 B-2 bombers, the high cost of production and reduced need for stealth bombers after the Cold War resulted in the suspension of the program. Only 21 examples of the aircraft were built.

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