30 Multi-Billion Dollar American Weapons and R&D Projects

Department of Defense FY2024 budget description: “The Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) guided missile destroyers provide a wide range of warfighting capabilities in multi-threat air, surface, and subsurface environments. The DDG 51 class is armed with a vertical launching system, which accommodates 96 missiles, and a 5-inch gun that provides Naval Surface Fire Support to forces ashore and anti-ship gunnery capability against other ships. This is the first class of destroyers with a ballistic missile defense capability.”

Department of Defense FY2024 budget description: “The Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) is the Army’s next-generation surface-to-surface ballistic missile that replaces and improves upon the Army Tactical Missile System. (ATACMS) PrSM will provide Joint Force Commanders with a 24/7, all-weather capability to attack critical and time-sensitive area and point targets including threat air defense; missile launchers; command and control centers; assembly/staging areas; and high payoff targets at all depths of the multidomain battlefield.”

Department of Defense FY2024 budget description: “The U.S. Navy MQ-25A Stingray and the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System programs are rapidly developing an unmanned capability to embark as part of the Carrier Air Wing for aerial refueling and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance missions.”

Department of Defense FY2024 budget description: “The Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) is a multi-mission vessel designed to provide low cost, high endurance, reconfigurable ships that can accommodate various payloads for unmanned missions and augment the Navy’s manned surface force. While unmanned surface vehicles are new additions to fleet units, they are intended to be relatively low developmental technologies that combine robust and proven commercial vessel designs with existing military payloads to rapidly and affordably expand the capacity and capability of the surface fleet.”

Department of Defense FY2024 budget description: “The Space Forces’ Launch Enterprise consists of the National Security Space Launch program and Rocket System Launch Program. NSSL provides highly reliable launch services for medium and heavy lift class national security satellites.”

Department of Defense FY2024 budget description: “The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) is a key element of the missile defense system. The THAAD Battery provides interceptors, using “Hit-To-Kill” technology to destroy missiles inside and outside the atmosphere. A Battery nominally consists of 6 truck-mounted launchers, 48 Interceptors (8 per launcher), one Army/Navy Transportable Radar Surveillance and radar, a Tactical Fire Control/Communications component, and the Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks.”

Department of Defense FY2024 budget description: “The Navy MQ-4C Triton, U.S. Air Force RQ-4 Global Hawk, and NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance Unmanned Aircraft Systems provide high altitude long endurance Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance capabilities.”

Department of Defense FY2024 budget description: “Supports the production of the redesigned missile which will be deployed on the COLUMBIA-class Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarine. Funds support the procurement of Trident II D5LE warhead components, the Mk4B Shape Stable Nose Tip (SSNT), and the replacement of D5 legacy tooling and test support equipment. Development efforts of the D5LE2 include system studies and architecture development, W93/Mk7 warhead feasibility study and design options, as well as the Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) and strategic guidance technologies to deliver a System Requirements Review in FY 2025.”

Department of Defense FY2024 budget description: “The F-15EX is a modernized derivative of the F-15E with advanced flight controls, superior sensors, and increased weapons capacity and range needed to defend critical locations in highly contested environments. Continues engineering and manufacturing development efforts for the Eagle Passive/Active Warning Survivability System to improve F-15E/EX survivability by enhancing the ability to detect, deny, or defeat air and ground threats. Continues F-15E modernization investment, focusing development efforts on the Operational Flight Program and Resilient Embedded GPS-INS.”

Department of Defense FY2024 budget description: “The F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet is a carrier-based multi-role tactical fighter and attack aircraft. Development and integration of critical aircraft systems, like the Infrared Search and Track (IRST) pod, continues to ensure the F/A-18 E/F can meet advanced threats expected in 2025 and beyond.”

Department of Defense FY2024 budget description: “The Virginia class submarine is a multimission nuclear-powered attack submarine… Equipped with vertical launchers and torpedo tubes, the submarine can launch Tomahawk cruise missiles and heavyweight torpedoes. Block V variants will incorporate Acoustic Superiority and the Virginia Payload Module (VPM), which is an 84-foot hull section with four additional payload tubes, each capable of carrying seven Tomahawk cruise missiles or various other payloads. FY 2024 continues funding development of the VPM technology, prototype components, and systems engineering required for design and construction.”

Over the past three fiscal years, the DOD allocated a budget of $1.0 billion for the research and development, testing, and evaluation of VC-25B Presidential Aircraft. Total DOD program spending from FY 2022-2024 came to $1.0 billion, the twenty-ninth most expensive weapon system in the defense budget. Boeing is the primary contractor for this new plane for the Air Force. 

Department of Defense FY2024 budget description: “The VC-25B Presidential Aircraft Recapitalization program will replace the current VC-25A (Boeing 747-200) “Air Force One” aircraft with a new, modified 747-8. The VC-25B will provide the President, staff, and guests with safe and reliable air transportation at the same level of security and communications capability available in the White House. The modifications to the 747-8 aircraft will include an electrical power upgrade, dual auxiliary power units that are usable in flight, a mission communication system, an executive interior, military avionics, a self-defense system, autonomous enplaning and deplaning, and autonomous baggage loading.”

Over the past three fiscal years, the DOD allocated $1.1 billion for research and development, testing, and evaluation of Standard Missile-6. Total DOD program spending from FY 2022-2024 came to $3.3 billion, the twentieth most expensive weapon system in the defense budget. Boeing Defense and Space is the primary contractor for this Navy missile.

Department of Defense FY2024 budget description: “The Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) is a surface Navy Anti-Air Warfare missile that provides area and ship self-defense. It was designed to fulfill the need for a vertically launched, extended-range missile compatible with the Aegis Weapon System to be used against extended-range threats at sea, near land, and overland. RDT&E funding continues Aegis architecture and design for SM-6 Block IB extended range capability…”

Department of Defense FY2024 budget description: “The Columbia class Ballistic Missile Submarine (SSBN) will replace the current Ohio class of Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarine. The USS Columbia program will deliver 12 SSBNs… FY 2024 also continues funding research and development of nuclear technologies and ship systems such as the propulsion system, combat systems technology, and the development and construction of a Common Missile Compartment (CMC) capable of hosting the TRIDENT II missile system.”

Department of Defense FY2024 budget description: “The E-7A program will replace the current E-3G Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft. The E-7A is an airborne early warning and control platform based on the Boeing (737-700) next-generation design powered by twin CFM International CFM56-7 turbofan engines. The E-7A provides improved kill-chain effectiveness, as well as enhanced survivability, reliability, and availability. The E-7A’s Multifunction Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) can be electronically steered, which provides better target detection and tracking, and more robust electronic protection.”

Department of Defense FY2024 budget description: “The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye is an airborne early warning, all-weather, twin-engine, carrier-based aircraft designed to extend task force defense perimeters.”

Department of Defense FY2024 budget description: “The Army’s Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept of Target (PATRIOT) system is an extremely capable, long-range air defense guided missile system, which protects ground combat forces and high-value assets… Implements critical capability, readiness, and sustainability modifications and continues software enhancement for improved combat identification, improved communications, interoperability, supportability, and electronic warfare capabilities; and supports the transition to the Integrated Air and Missile Defense architecture.”

Over the past three fiscal years, the DOD’s budget for research and development, testing, and evaluation of the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) was $1.7 billion. From FY 2022-2024, total DOD program spending came to $1.7 billion, the defense budget’s twenty-fifth most expensive weapon program. The primary contractors for these Army vehicles is to be determined. 

Department of Defense FY2024 budget description: “The Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) will replace the Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle and provide increased warfighting capability required to defeat future near-peer competitors… Funds the fully digital, detailed prototype vehicle designs from Preliminary Design Review (PDR) through to the Critical Design Review (CDR) in preparation for the prototype builds and testing portion of Phase 3&4 in the program’s development.”

Department of Defense FY2024 budget description: “The F-22 Raptor is a fifth-generation air superiority fighter aircraft. The Raptor is designed to penetrate enemy airspace and achieve first-look, first-shot, first-kill capability against multiple targets. Continues deliberate investments via the Raptor Agile Capability Release program to ensure F-22s are upgraded with state-of-the-art sensors, improved survivability, enhanced interoperability, and extended range and time on station.”

Over the past three fiscal years, the DOD allocated a $2.4 billion budget to research and development, testing, and evaluation of the Aegis Sea-Based Weapons System. Total DOD program spending from FY 2022-2024 came to $5.3 billion, the defense budget’s fourteenth most expensive weapon system. Boeing is the primary contractor making this joint-service missile system. 

Department of Defense FY2024 budget description: “Sea-Based Weapons System (Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD)) is the naval element of the missile defense system and provides an enduring, operationally effective, and supportable missile defense capability on Aegis cruisers, destroyers, and Ashore to defend U.S. deployed forces and our allies.”

Department of Defense FY2024 budget description: “Long Range Stand-Off (LRSO) Weapon is a nuclear cruise missile capable of penetrating and surviving complex advanced integrated air defense systems and GPS-denied environments from significant stand-off ranges. The LRSO replaces the Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) which entered service in 1982 and is well past its original 10-year service life design. The program entered the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase in July 2021. Initial operational capability is projected for 2030.”

Department of Defense FY2024 budget description: “Bombers provide an intercontinental capability to rapidly strike surface targets. The Air Force legacy bomber fleet includes the B-1B, B-2, and B-52H aircraft. Continues upgrades to modernize legacy bombers including avionics, communications, radar, engine, and weapons efforts.”

Department of Defense FY2024 budget description: “The Global Positioning System (GPS) provides worldwide, 24-hour a day, all-weather 3-dimensional positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) information for military and civilian users.”

Department of Defense FY2024 budget description: “The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) is a fifth-generation strike fighter for the Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and U.S. Allies. Continues systems engineering, development, and operational testing, and supports Continuous Capability Development and Delivery (C2D2) to provide incremental warfighting capability improvements to maintain joint air dominance against evolving threats.”

Department of Defense FY2024 budget description: “The Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) element is a Missile Defense Agency program and a key component of the Missile Defense System, providing Combatant Commanders with the capability to engage missiles in the midcourse phase of flight… Continues the design and development activities for two competitive interceptor development contracts. Next Generation Interceptor funding provides for the initial requirements analysis, design, development, prototyping, integration and relevant environment testing to mature the booster, payload, sensor, and design-specific critical technologies and technology elements.”

Department of Defense FY2024 budget description: “Continues to accelerate multiple innovative lines of effort across the Department to support the DoD Cyber Strategy and facilitate information advantage throughout the spectrum of competition, crisis, and conflict. The resulting capabilities enhance integrated deterrence by enabling power projection in and through cyberspace, increasing our adversaries’ cyberspace operations cost and reducing their likelihood of success. The FY 2024 program continues investments in cybersecurity, cyberspace operations (including the cyber mission force), and cyber research and development.”

Department of Defense FY2024 budget description: “The B-21 Raider is a new, high-tech long-range bomber that will replace B-1 and B-2 bombers. The B21 will be a key component of the joint portfolio of conventional and nuclear-capable deep-strike capabilities. The B-21 will be delivered to operational bases in the mid-2020s. The Air Force plans to procure a minimum of 100 aircraft. Manufacturing of the test aircraft is underway at Northrop Grumman’s facility in Air Force Plant 42.”

Department of Defense FY2024 budget description: “Initiates PTS prototype payload launch vehicle integration and PTS Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase for the new purpose-built high-throughput anti-jam satellite system.”

The DOD allocated a $9.8 billion budget over the past three fiscal years for the research and development, testing, and evaluation of the LGM-35A Sentinel. Total DOD program spending from FY 2022-2024 came to $10.4 billion, the ninth most expensive weapon system in the defense budget. Northrop Grumman, Aerospace Systems, and Boeing Defense are the primary contractors making these ballistic missiles for the Air Force. 

Department of Defense FY2024 budget description: “The LGM-35A Sentinel, formerly the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent, program is the Air Force effort to replace the aging LGM-30 Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) weapon system… Sentinel will modernize or replace Minuteman III flight systems, weapon system command and control, and launch systems, including missile silos, control centers, and other ground infrastructure. The program entered the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase in September 2020. Deployment is projected to begin in the late 2020s.”

Department of Defense FY2024 budget description: “Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared Program (OPIR) and Resilient Missile Warning and Missile Tracking (MW/MT) are the follow-on systems to the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) that will: (1) field two Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO), two Polar satellites in Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO), and an integrated centralized ground station; and (2) field 39 Low Earth Orbit and up to nine Medium Earth Orbit MW/MT capabilities. Next-Gen OPIR will rapidly deliver strategically survivable missile warning capabilities, which detect advances made in adversarial missile technology and address counter-space systems with added resiliency features.”