You Could Buy the Empire State Building for the Cost of One of These US Air Force Bombers

24/7 Wall St. Insights

We used data from the US Department of Defense, the USAF, and the 2023 World Air Forces Report
Estimated unit costs range from about $107 million to over $2 billion
Also, Discover “The Next NVIDIA”

Since World War I, aircraft have been part of military operations in every major conflict. At the beginning of “The Great War,” they were mostly used for reconnaissance operations. By the end, they were providing tactical support and carrying strategic bombing raids. Since then, they have continued to improve exponentially in technology, ability, and speed.

In American military doctrine, air superiority—a degree of control that minimizes aerial threats to combat operations—is critical to the success of any military operation. The outsized importance of aerial dominance is reflected in the U.S. Air Force’s annual budget. There seems to be a disproportionate investment in the USAF and that is largely due to development and procurement costs of advanced weapons systems. Even now, many of the most critical aircraft in the USAF fleet have a unit cost of over $100 million.

Using data from the U.S. Department of Defense, 24/7 Wall St. identified the most expensive aircraft in the U.S. Air Force. Aircraft are ranked on the estimated unit cost, as reported by the USAF, in inflation-adjusted dollars. Air Force inventory and pending orders for each aircraft on this list are from the 2023 World Air Forces report, as well as the USAF. Unmanned drones and aircraft used exclusively for training were not considered in this analysis.

Among the 18 aircraft on this list, estimated unit costs range from about $107 million to over $2 billion. The aircraft on this list serve a range of functions, from communications and transport to heavy bombers and fighter jets. In many cases, the USAF has dozens, if not hundreds, of these high-value systems in its fleet.

Unit costs are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to aircraft. Many cost tens of thousands of dollars an hour just to fly, not even accounting for the cost of the ordnance on board or maintenance costs.

Why Is This Important?

us+Air+Force | US Air Force Weapons School [Image 20 of 24]

According to Pentagon documents, the U.S. Air Force has a $185.1 billion budget in fiscal 2024, more than the total annual defense spending of every country in the world, with the exception of China. Even relative to other branches of the U.S. military, the Air Force is especially well funded. This year, the Pentagon is spending about $153,700 for every American employed by the Air Force, including both civilians and active-duty service members. Meanwhile, the per capita U.S. Army budget in FY 2024 totals just $84,100.

These are the most expensive aircraft in the U.S. Air Force.

18. CV-22 Osprey

Est. unit cost in 2024: $107.5 million
Active units in USAF inventory: 52 (2 more ordered)
Aircraft type: Combat helicopter
Primary function: Special operations forces long-range infiltration, exfiltration and resupply
Primary contractor(s) include: Bell Textron and Boeing

17. HC-130P/N King

Est. unit cost in 2024: $109.2 million
Active units in USAF inventory: 36
Aircraft type: Transport
Primary function: Rescue platform
Primary contractor(s) include: Lockheed Martin

16. B-52H Stratofortress

Est. unit cost in 2024: $113.6 million
Active units in USAF inventory: 72
Aircraft type: Combat aircraft
Primary function: Heavy bomber
Primary contractor(s) include: Boeing

15. MC-130J Commando II

Est. unit cost in 2024: $119.6 million
Active units in USAF inventory: 59 (8 more ordered)
Aircraft type: Tanker
Primary function: Infiltration, exfiltration and resupply
Primary contractor(s) include: Lockheed Martin

14. EC-130J Commando Solo

Est. unit cost in 2024: $128.9 million
Active units in USAF inventory: 7
Aircraft type: Special mission
Primary function: Airborne information operations broadcasts and electronic warfare
Primary contractor(s) include: Lockheed Martin

13. AC-130W Stinger II

Est. unit cost in 2024: $142.9 million
Active units in USAF inventory: 3
Aircraft type: Combat aircraft
Primary function: Close air support and air interdiction with associated collateral missions
Primary contractor(s) include: Lockheed Martin

12. F-22 Raptor

Est. unit cost in 2024: $149.8 million
Active units in USAF inventory: 177
Aircraft type: Combat aircraft
Primary function: Air dominance, multi-role fighter
Primary contractor(s) include: Lockheed Martin and Boeing

11. KC-10 Extender

Est. unit cost in 2024: $168.3 million
Active units in USAF inventory: 40
Aircraft type: Tanker
Primary function: Aerial tanker and transport
Primary contractor(s) include: Boeing

10. MC-130H COMBAT TALON II

Est. unit cost in 2024: $187.5 million
Active units in USAF inventory: 10
Aircraft type: Tanker
Primary function: Infiltration, exfiltration and resupply of special operations forces
Primary contractor(s) include: Lockheed Martin

9. AC-130J Ghostrider

Est. unit cost in 2024: $193.3 million
Active units in USAF inventory: 18
Aircraft type: Combat aircraft
Primary function: Close air support and air interdiction with associated collateral missions
Primary contractor(s) include: Lockheed Martin

8. EC-130H Compass Call

Est. unit cost in 2024: $215.3 million
Active units in USAF inventory: 9
Aircraft type: Special mission
Primary function: Electronic warfare, suppression of enemy air defenses and offensive counter information
Primary contractor(s) include: BAE Systems and L3 Communications

7. C-17 Globemaster III

Est. unit cost in 2024: $385.1 million
Active units in USAF inventory: 228
Aircraft type: Transport
Primary function: Cargo and troop transport
Primary contractor(s) include: Boeing

6. B-1B Lancer

Est. unit cost in 2024: $407.5 million
Active units in USAF inventory: 43
Aircraft type: Combat aircraft
Primary function: Long-range, multi-role, heavy bomber
Primary contractor(s) include: Boeing

5. E-4B Nightwatch

Est. unit cost in 2024: $424.9 million
Active units in USAF inventory: 4
Aircraft type: Special mission
Primary function: Airborne operations center
Primary contractor(s) include: Boeing

4. E-8C Joint Stars

Est. unit cost in 2024: $465.3 million
Active units in USAF inventory: 13
Aircraft type: Special mission
Primary function: Airborne battle management
Primary contractor(s) include: Northrop Grumman

3. E-3 Sentry

Est. unit cost in 2024: $514.0 million
Active units in USAF inventory: 31
Aircraft type: Special mission
Primary function: Airborne battle management, command and control
Primary contractor(s) include: Boeing

2. B-21 Raider

Est. unit cost in 2024: $734.7 million
Active units in USAF inventory: 0 (100 ordered)
Aircraft type: Combat aircraft
Primary function: Nuclear-capable, penetrating strike stealth bomber
Primary contractor(s) include: Northrop Grumman

1. B-2 Spirit

Est. unit cost in 2024: $2.2 billion
Active units in USAF inventory: 18
Aircraft type: Combat aircraft
Primary function: Multi-role heavy bomber
Primary contractor(s) include: Northrop Grumman and Boeing

Take This Retirement Quiz To Get Matched With An Advisor Now (Sponsored)

Are you ready for retirement? Planning for retirement can be overwhelming, that’s why it could be a good idea to speak to a fiduciary financial advisor about your goals today.

Start by taking this retirement quiz right here from SmartAsset that will match you with up to 3 financial advisors that serve your area and beyond in 5 minutes. Smart Asset is now matching over 50,000 people a month.

Click here now to get started.

The post You Could Buy the Empire State Building for the Cost of One of These US Air Force Bombers appeared first on 24/7 Wall St..