Top 10 most expensive military aircrafts

Top 10 most expensive military aircraft

As the military technology advances, these most expensive military aircraft in the world were created. For the need of more powerful means of defense, flying military technology are developed. Even creating a highly cost military equipment is not debatable by some people as it’s wasting government’s money, but the show must go on. Here’s the Top 10 most expensive military aircraft ever made in the world.
1. B-2 Spirit

The B-2 bomber was so costly that Congress cut its initial 1987 purchase order from 132 to 21. (A 2008 crash leaves the current number at 20.) The B-2 is hard to detect via infrared, acoustic, electromagnetic, visual or radar signals. This stealth capability makes it able to attack enemy targets with less fear of retaliation. In use since 1993, the B-2 has been deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan.

Cost:

about $2.4 billion
2. F-22 Raptor

F-22 Raptor is a stealth fighter aircraft made by the United States. It was originally envisioned as air superiority fighter for use against Soviet aircraft, but the aircraft is equipped for ground attack, electronic warfare and signals intelligence. This aircraft through a long development period, is named the prototype YF-22, three years before it was officially adopted F/A-22 named, and finally given the name of the F-22A when used on the official start in December 2005. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics is the prime contractor is responsible for the majority of the airframe, weapons, and assembling the F-22. Then his partner, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems provides the wings, avionics equipment, and pilot and maintenance training.

Cost:

about $350 million
3. C17A Globemaster III

C-17 Globemaster III is a military transport aircraft of the United States are manufactured by Boeing Integrated Defense Systems and operated by the United States Air Force, Royal Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force. This aircraft has been also selected by the Canadian Military and planned for delivery in 2007. NATO is also planning to order this type of transport aircraft.
C-17 takes the form of the same name from two heavy transport aircraft of its predecessor the C-74 Globemaster and C-124 Globemaster II.

Cost:

about $328 million
4. P-8A Poseidon

Boeing’s spruced-up military version of its 737 jet will be used by the Navy to conduct anti-submarine warfare and gather intelligence. It can carry torpedoes, missiles, depth charges and other weapons. The P-8A is expected to go into service in 2013.

Cost:

about $290 million

5.VH-71 Kestrel

This high-tech helicopter project, intended to replace the President’s aging chopper fleet, was running more than 50% over budget by the time Barack Obama took office. Soon after his Inauguration, the President announced plans to scrap the helicopters because of cost overruns. On July 22, however, the House Appropriations Committee unanimously approved restoring $485 million to fund the Kestrels.

Cost:

about $241 million

6. E-2D Advanced Hawkeye

A major step forward for surveillance and reconnaissance, the Advanced Hawkeye’s powerful new radar system will increase the range of territory an aircraft can monitor by 300%. “It can probably wat

ch the pistachios pop in Iran,” an analyst for the think tank Lexington Institute told National Defense in July.

Though development of the plane is on track and two test versions have been delivered to the Navy, budget cuts may keep the planes grounded for at least a year longer than planned.

Cost:

about $232 million

7.F-35 Lightning II

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a fifth-generation, single-seat, single-engine, stealth-capable military strike fighter, a multirole aircraft that can perform close air support, tactical bombing, and air defense missions. The F-35 has three different models; one is the conventional takeoff and landing variant, the second is short takeoff and vertical-landing variant, and the third is a carrier-based variant.
The F-35 is descended from the X-35, the product of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. Its development is being principally funded by the United States, with the United Kingdom, and other partner governments providing additional funding.It is being designed and built by an aerospace industry team led by Lockheed Martin with Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems as major partners. Demonstrator aircraft flew in 2000, with the first flight on 15 December 2006.

Cost:

about $122 million

8. V-22 Osprey

Wide reach, speed and flexibility are qualified, it is desired by all aircraft designer. No exception to the V-22. V-22 is not just ordinary aircraft or helicopter, but the combination of both. Twice the speed, reach further five times, and can fly higher than twice the usual helicopter.
This is the first time in history it produced a vertical rotor helicopters with their side’s

performance that combines a high-speed helicopters and aircraft wings. With twice the speed of the helicopter, capable of carrying up to 24 troops, or up to £ 20,000 (9072 kg) of internal cargo or 15,000 pounds (6804 kg) from outside the cargo.
It was first used in combat in Iraq in 2007.

Cost:

about $118 million

9. EA-18G Growler

Boeing EA-18g-based carrier has the ability to disrupt communi

cations and radar systems, signals, and attacked anti aircraft radar on the ground. Old versions of these aircraft has been used in Iraq to disable a trigger signal in the roadside bomb.

Cost:

about $102 Millions
10. F/A-18 Hornet

F/A-18 Hornet strike fighter is designed to be able to attack both grou

nd and air targets, and have the ability to be placed on the aircraft carrier. The aircraft is designed for the Navy and the United States Marine Corps, and is used also by Canada, Australia, Finland, Kuwait, Malaysia, Spain and Switzerland.
This aircraft is also demonstrator aircraft for the Blue Angels since 1986.

Cost:

about: $94 million