The B-2 Spirit bomber, also known as the stealth bomber, is the most expensive aircraft in the world, and also the most sophisticated. The B-2 can fly anywhere in the world, reach its target, and return home without having to stop to fuel. Instead, it refuels mid-air. The B-2 was designed during the Cold War to penetrate Soviet air defense, but shortly after it was designed, the Berlin Wall fell and the Cold War ended.
While the B-2 bomber is the most expensive, there are other impressive US military planes with hefty price tags. 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the 2024 World Air Forces report from FlightGlobal, an aviation and aerospace industry website, as well as various additional sources for prices of U.S. military aircraft listed to find the most expensive Air Force planes. Included in this list are the 24 aircraft with unit prices of more than $100 million – adjusted for inflation to March 2024 using the CPI inflation calculator from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Data on primary roles and primary contractors came from various military and historical sources.
The US is currently producing the next generation of fighter jets with advanced military technology and enhanced operational capacity. Although some of these new jets cost $100 million and above, they don’t compare to the most expensive aircraft in the fleet even with the newest stealth technology and avionics. (These are the oldest and newest stealth aircraft still flying.)
The B-2 bomber tops our list with its hefty price tag of more than $2 billion per unit. These are effectively part of the U.S. national defense against nuclear war. These aircraft are designed with stealth technology incorporated into every aspect of the bomber, which makes it practically invisible to enemy radar systems. (This is everything you need to know about military stealth technology.)
Why This Matters
About 13% of the US annual budget ($806 billion) goes to the national defense. Overall, American military aircraft reflect a sizable portion of the U.S. defense budget, including continued development and maintenance. All of these aircraft represent the U.S. dedication to air superiority and safeguarding national security interests which is heavily implied by their price tags. 24/7 Wall St. is writing about the cost of US military aircraft to help readers understand where their tax dollars go.
Here is a look at the most expensive airplanes in the U.S. military.
Primary role: Infiltration, exfiltration and resupply of special operations forces by airdrop or airland, air refueling of SOF helicopter/tilt rotor aircraft
Primary contractors: Lockheed Martin
18. EC-130J Commando Solo
Est. cost per unit, 2024: $128.91 million
Active in U.S. Military: 7
Primary role: Airborne information operations broadcasts
Primary contractors: Lockheed Martin
17. U-2 Dragon Lady
Est. cost per unit, 2024: $134.64 million
Active in U.S. Military: 26
Primary role: high-altitude reconnaissance
Primary contractors: Lockheed Martin
16. Boeing C-32
Est. cost per unit, 2024: $136.94 million
Active in U.S. Military: 4
Primary role: Transport
Primary contractors: The Boeing Company
15. AC-130W Stinger II
Est. cost per unit, 2024: $142.98 million
Active in U.S. Military: 3
Primary role: Close air support and air interdiction with associated collateral missions
Primary role: Communications relay for fleet ballistic missile submarines (A and B models) and airborne command post for U.S. Strategic forces (B model)
Primary contractors: The Boeing Company
12. KC-10 Extender
Est. cost per unit, 2024: $168.06 million
Active in U.S. Military: 40
Primary role: Aerial tanker and transport
Primary contractors: The Boeing Company
11. EC-130H Compass Call
Est. cost per unit, 2024: $182.13 million
Active in U.S. Military: 7
Primary role: Electronic warfare, suppression of enemy air defenses and offensive counter information
Primary contractors: BAE Systems and L3 Communications
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