The 24 Most Expensive American Military Planes

The Department of Defense (DOD) has one of the largest military budgets in the world. In 2022, it had allotted $877 billion in military expenses, which accounts for 40% of military spending in the world. One of the most important assets within any nation’s arsenal is its military aircraft. Building an air force with the most technologically advanced aircraft comes with an incredibly expensive cost.

The most recent generation of fighter aircraft is outfitted with cutting-edge stealth technology and many cost over $100 million each. However, fighter jets are not nearly as expensive as a few other planes in the U.S. Air Force. (Also see, America’s 15 planes that fly on aircraft carriers today.)

To determine the most expensive U.S. military planes, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the 2023 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. Included in this list are the 24 aircraft with unit prices of more than $100 million – adjusted for inflation to September 2023 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.

Topping the list is the B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber, which costs roughly $2.15 billion per unit and offers strategic capacity for nuclear deterrence. It is not only the most expensive American military plane but is the most expensive in the world. The B-2 design has stealth technology incorporated in its construction, making it nearly invisible to enemy radar systems, and enhancing its operational flexibility. This aircraft is capable of delivering conventional and nuclear ordinances with a high degree of accuracy.

The majority of aircraft on this list are larger ones, which excludes most fighter jets. Many of these play logistical or support roles. For example, several major transport aircraft make the list as do many that play roles in electronic warfare or early airborne warning. These can be incredibly expensive to outfit with state-of-the-art technology. (Here are the 26 military aircraft of the future.)

These aircraft represent a large portion of the U.S. defense budget, which includes $61.1 billion for continued development, and illustrates the nation’s commitment to maintaining superiority in military aviation. Their design and capabilities underscore the importance of airpower in safeguarding national security interests and strategic outlook.

Here is a look at the most expensive airplanes in the U.S. military.

24. F-35C Lightning II

Two F-35C Lightning II aircraf... by Official U.S. Navy Page

Two F-35C Lightning II aircraf... (CC BY 2.0) by Official U.S. Navy Page

Est. cost per unit, 2023: $105.97 million
Active in U.S. Military: 472 (total F-35 count)
Primary role: Multirole: ground attack, air superiority
Primary contractors: Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and BAE Systems

23. CV-22 Osprey

Est. cost per unit, 2023: $106.59 million
Active in U.S. Military: 71
Primary role: Special operations forces long-range infiltration, exfiltration, and resupply
Primary contractors: Bell Textron and Boeing

22. HC-130P/N King

Est. cost per unit, 2023: $107.72 million
Active in U.S. Military: 38
Primary role: Rescue platform
Primary contractors: Lockheed Martin

21. B-52H Stratofortress

Est. cost per unit, 2023: $112.88 million
Active in U.S. Military: 72
Primary role: Heavy bomber
Primary contractors: The Boeing Company

20. F-35A Lightning II

Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II by :u0410u043du0434u0440u0435u043912.06.1992

Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II (CC BY-SA 4.0) by :u0410u043du0434u0440u0435u043912.06.1992

Est. cost per unit, 2023: $114.85 million
Active in U.S. Military: 472 (total F-35 count)
Primary role: Multirole: ground attack, air superiority
Primary contractors: Lockheed Martin

19. MC-130J Commando II

14-5805 Lockheed Martin MC-13... by Steve Knight

14-5805 Lockheed Martin MC-13... (CC BY 2.0) by Steve Knight

Est. cost per unit, 2023: $117.94 million
Active in U.S. Military: 59
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, 2023: $127.86 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, 2023: $133.54 million
Active in U.S. Military: 26
Primary role: high-altitude reconnaissance
Primary contractors: Lockheed Martin

16. Boeing C-32

Est. cost per unit, 2023: $135.82 million
Active in U.S. Military: 4
Primary role: Transport
Primary contractors: The Boeing Company

15. AC-130W Stinger II

Est. cost per unit, 2023: $141.81 million
Active in U.S. Military: 3
Primary role: Close air support and air interdiction with associated collateral missions
Primary contractors: Lockheed Martin

14. F-22 Raptor

08-4158 Lockheed Martin F-22 R... by Tomu00c3u00a1s Del Coro

08-4158 Lockheed Martin F-22 R... (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Tomu00c3u00a1s Del Coro

Est. cost per unit, 2023: $148.62 million
Active in U.S. Military: 177
Primary role: Air dominance, multi-role fighter
Primary contractors: Lockheed Martin, Boeing

13. E-6B Mercury Airborne Command Post

Est. cost per unit, 2023: $158.95 million
Active in U.S. Military: 16
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, 2023: $166.69 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, 2023: $180.64 million
Active in U.S. Military: 9
Primary role: Electronic warfare, suppression of enemy air defenses and offensive counter information
Primary contractors: BAE Systems and L3 Communications

10. MC-130H Combat Talon II

Lockheed MC-130H Combat Talon ... by Alan Wilson

Lockheed MC-130H Combat Talon ... (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Alan Wilson

Est. cost per unit, 2023: $185.90 million
Active in U.S. Military: 10
Primary role: Infiltration, exfiltration and resupply of special operations forces
Primary contractors: Lockheed Martin

9. AC-130J Ghostrider

Lockheed-Martin AC-130J Ghostr... by Alan Wilson

Lockheed-Martin AC-130J Ghostr... (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Alan Wilson

Est. cost per unit, 2023: $191.69 million
Active in U.S. Military: 18
Primary role: Close air support and air interdiction with associated collateral missions
Primary contractors: Lockheed Martin