{"id":132547,"date":"2023-05-03T17:31:01","date_gmt":"2023-05-03T17:31:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fin2me.com\/?p=132547"},"modified":"2023-05-03T17:31:01","modified_gmt":"2023-05-03T17:31:01","slug":"the-18-most-expensive-planes-in-the-us-air-force","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fin2me.com\/business\/the-18-most-expensive-planes-in-the-us-air-force\/","title":{"rendered":"The 18 Most Expensive Planes in the US Air Force"},"content":{"rendered":"
The Department of Defense just released their new budget proposal for the 2024 fiscal year. Included in the staggering $842 billion budget is $13.6 billion for the problematic F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, as well as $5.3 billion for the Northrop Grumman-developed B-21 Raider, the single-wing stealth bomber that is meant as the replacement for the B-2 spirit. The military is expected to spend at least $20 billion developing the plane before the first will enter service, which could be as late as 2027.<\/span> (Here is a look at the 35 billion dollar weapons in the 2024 U.S. military budget.)\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While the exact cost of a single B-21 Raider remains to be seen, it will certainly not be cheap. Previous estimates from the Air Force, when adjusted for inflation, put the average unit cost at about <\/span>$753 mill<\/span>ion. Of course, when it comes to military aircraft, nine-figure price tags are nothing new. Still, if early estimates are accurate, the B-21 will soon join the ranks of the most expensive aircraft in the USAF arsenal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Using Department of Defense data, 24\/7 Wall St. identified the most expensive aircraft in the U.S. Air Force. Based on inflation-adjusted estimated unit costs on weapons systems with available data, there are currently 18 aircraft in the USAF fleet that cost over $100 million a piece, not including drones and unmanned aerial vehicles.<\/span><\/p>\n The aircraft on this list serve a range of functions, from communications and transport to heavy bombers and fighter jets. The estimated unit cost of some of the aircraft on this list is well above $300 million – and in many cases, the USAF has dozens, if not hundreds of these high-value systems in its inventory. (Here is a look at <\/span>every plane in the U.S. military<\/span>.)<\/span><\/p>\n Unit costs are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to aircraft. Many cost <\/span>tens of thousa<\/span>nds of dollars an hour just to fly, not even accounting for the cost of the ordnance on board or the time and money re<\/span>quired for ma<\/span>intenance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Click here to see most expensive planes in the US Air Force.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Click here to read our detailed methodology.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Sponsored: Find a Qualified Financial Advisor<\/b><\/p>\n Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to 3 fiduciary financial advisors in your area in 5 minutes. Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests. If you’re ready to be matched with local advisors that can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.<\/p>\n