The 10 Most Expensive Military Aircraft in the World

All of the aircraft on our list belong to the United States. One or two Russian strategic heavy bombers could have been included in this list, but unfortunately it is not possible to obtain even approximate values from open sources.

With the highest annual military expenditure in the world, the USA also has the best but most costly air power in the world. Let's take a closer look at the 10 most expensive military aircraft produced in the USA, which help this country to demonstrate its superior air power in every corner of the world. The prices quoted are relative and will vary depending on the configuration of the aircraft, the country of purchase and other factors. Because military aircraft are not vehicles with a fixed price tag.

10. Boeing, F/A-18 Super Hornet: $ 94 Million

The F/A-18 Hornet is a fighter/bomber aircraft, in other words, a combination of fighter and bomber aircraft. Therefore, it can attack both air and ground targets and can also be used in air combat. The Hornet was used effectively in the first US Desert Storm operation. The US uses Hornets in Naval and Marine Corps Air Forces. Other countries using Hornets in their air forces include Switzerland, Kuwait, Israel, France, Finland, Spain, Malaysia and Canada.

9. Boeing, EA-18G Growler: $102 million

The EA-18G Growler is a special purpose variant of the F/A-18 Super Hornet. It includes all the capabilities of the Super Hornet, but is lightly armed and not equipped for intensive air attacks. Growler is a carrier platform for radar jamming equipment that interferes with enemy radar equipment and disrupts their communications. It is used by the US Navy's air force and the Australian Air Force.

8. Bell Boeing, V-22 Osprey: $118 million

The prominent feature of the Osprey is its tiltrotor technology, which allows it to function as both an aeroplane and a helicopter. It has both short take-off and landing (STOL) and vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capabilities. This unusual feature allows the aircraft to take off and land like a helicopter, while at the same time having the range and speed of an aircraft. Osprey, which has also suffered serious accidents and crashes that halted its production and use, continues to be used due to its versatility. It was used extensively in medical evacuation and transport operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait and Libya. It is used by the US Marine Corps and the US Air Force.

7. Lockheed Martin, F-35 Lightning II: 122 Million $

The F-35 Lightning II is a single-engine, single-seat, all-weather stealth fighter aircraft. It is primarily an air-to-ground attack aircraft, but is also capable of air superiority missions. The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) programme, with three versions (F-35A, F-35B and F-35C), was designed by an aerospace consortium led by Lockheed Martin and comprising BAE Systems, Pratt & Whitney and Northrop Grumman. The US plans to purchase 2,663 of these aircraft to support the Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force. Deliveries of F-35s to US air forces (USAF, USNAVY, USMC) are scheduled for 2037, with a service life expected to last until 2070. It is also being used by many US allied air forces and is likely to surpass the export success of the F-16. It is the most costly defence system programme in history.

6. Northrop Grumman, E-2D Advanced Hawkeye: $232 million

The Advanced Hawkeye is equipped with first-class radar and communications equipment and is an improved variant of its predecessor, the E-2C Hawkeye, which is not yet operational. It is an all-weather, tactical airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft. In addition to the United States, E-2s are used by Taiwan, Singapore, Mexico, Japan, Israel (decommissioned), France and Egypt.

Lockheed Martin, VH-71 Kestrel: $241 million

The Kestrel is designed to replace the US president's helicopter fleet. It was developed by a consortium including Lockheed Martin Systems Integration/Owego (LMSI), Bell Helicopter and AgustaWestland. However, the production programme was hampered by engineering problems, cost overruns and delays attributed to new and unexpected changes requested by the US government. The US Navy cancelled the contract after receiving nine VH-71s. It was a programme that could not be continued because it was too expensive.

Boeing, P-8A Poseidon: $290 million

The P-8A Poseidon used by the US Navy is an improved version of the Boeing 737-800ERX. This commercial aircraft was converted by Boeing into a military aerial platform equipped with depth charges, torpedoes and anti-ship missiles. Poseidon has the capabilities to perform electronic support measures such as early warning, self-protection, transport interdiction, surface warfare and anti-submarine warfare. The aircraft can also drop and track sonos buoys. In addition to the US Navy, the P-8 is also used by the Indian Navy and the Australian, British and Norwegian air forces.

Boeing, C17A Globemaster III: $328 million

The Globemaster III is considered one of the best military transport aircraft in the world because it can transport troops, military equipment and vehicles around the world. The aircraft is capable of transporting and parachuting 102 fully-equipped soldiers into enemy lines, and can also parachute tanks and other armoured vehicles. Thus, this aircraft provides a great advantage to the US Armed Forces in conflicts involving ground operations. In addition to the United States, Globemaster III is also used by Kuwait, India, NATO, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom.

2. Lockheed Martin, F-22 Raptor: $350 million

Considered the world's best fighter aircraft, the Raptor was designed and built to combat Russia's advanced SU-27/35 Flanker and MiG-29 Fulcrum aircraft. When the Russian threat diminished, production was halted and a total of 187 Raptors were provided to the US Air Force. The Raptor's combination of situational awareness, aerodynamic performance and stealth capabilities make it the best weapon in air combat.

The Raptor is an all-weather, twin-engine, single-seat, fifth-generation stealth aircraft designed for the US Air Force. It has signal intelligence, electronic warfare and ground attack capabilities and is mainly used as an air superiority fighter. The aircraft's weapon systems and airframe were built by Lockheed Martin, while the training systems, avionics integration, rear fuselage and wings were provided by Boeing.

1. Northrop Grumman, B-2 Spirit: $ 737 Million

The B-2 Spirit stealth strategic heavy bomber tops our list of the 10 most expensive military aircraft produced in the United States and possibly the world. The fighter aircraft resembles a spaceship in design and can penetrate deep into enemy territory undetected, evading radar, visual, electromagnetic and infrared signals, and accurately drop tactical and nuclear munitions on given targets. It was originally built to carry nuclear bombs, but was later upgraded to carry other types of munitions.

The aircraft's large payload, aerodynamic efficiency, stealth/stealth technology and advanced avionic radar systems make it a unique and lethal fighter aircraft of strategic value to the US Air Force.

The B-2 was first used to drop conventional munitions during the Kosovo War and later saw operational service in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya.