Guess Which Military Weapons Program Is Costing Billions of Your Tax Dollars

24/7 Wall St. Insights

The single most expensive program on this list, costing $12.4 billion, is for a weapons program that would benefit the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marines.
The lowest-cost program at $1.01 billion (which is still expensive!) represents a 16.5% reduction in funding from 2024 to 2025.
Weapons on this list include missiles and munition, various aircraft, tanks and armored vehicles, and missile defense systems (among others).
Also: Discover the “Next NVIDIA”

In early 2024, the United States Army fielded the XM7 Next Generation Rifle and XM250 Next Generation Automatic Rifle to army soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. These next-generation weapons include expanded technologies and capabilities, such as a laser range fire and increased lethality when dealing with enemy body armor. The Army hopes that these more powerful weapons can confer benefits in action. Introducing these guns also highlights the Army’s commitment to modernizing its arsenal. (What is the future of military guns?)

Developing new weaponry is something that our military aims to do, allowing the U.S. to maintain global power and project might. Military weapons programs play a huge part in this. These programs are undertaken by defense leaders to produce, develop, and put into action new weapons and technologies. Weapons programs often require maintaining and upgrading throughout their use — and this, along with the process of development, research, testing, and implementation — can be extremely costly. (Check out the U.S. military’s biggest spenders.)

Using data from the DOD’s Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Request, 24/7 Wall St. identified the U.S. military’s most expensive weapons programs. We only considered weapons programs with a projected budget of at least $1 billion in fiscal 2025. All supplemental data is also from the DOD’s report.

The costs associated with the weapons on this list reflect estimates related to procurement, research and development, or both. But the benefits may outweigh the costs. For example, in a statement justifying planned military spending, Secretary Austin specifically singled out the challenges posed by an increasingly aggressive China. In keeping with this threat, the proposed 2025 defense budget invests heavily in maritime and air-based weapons, systems that would be critical for conducting a war in East Asia. The U.S. must invest properly and prioritize correctly to set our military up for success.

Why It Matters

Navy+Seaman+Apprentice+SA | 190709-N-DQ787-1051

The U.S. defense budget surpasses that of the next 10 highest-spending countries combined — including China, Russia, India, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine. While the bulk of the U.S. military budget goes toward immediate needs such as operations, maintenance, and personnel, more than one third is allocated to more forward-looking initiatives. To maintain credible deterrence, and the capability to respond to crises in any corner of the world, the U.S. will invest hundreds of billions of dollars in weapons development and procurement programs in fiscal 2025 — including 33 programs that will each cost over $1 billion.

Here are the most expensive U.S. military weapons programs:

33. PATRIOT/PAC-3 Advanced Capability

FY 2025 budget: $1.01 billion
Change in funding, FY 2024 to FY 2025: -16.5% (-$199.40 million)
Weapon description: Long-range air defense missile system
Program category: U.S. Army missile defense
Primary contractor(s): Lockheed Martin, Raytheon

32. JASSM (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile)

FY 2025 budget: $1.01 billion
Change in funding, FY 2024 to FY 2025: -44.5% (-$810.00 million)
Weapon description: Precision cruise missile carried by bomber and fighter aircraft
Program category: Joint service missiles and munitions
Primary contractor(s): Lockheed Martin

31. M-1 Abrams Tank Modification/Upgrades

FY 2025 budget: $1.02 billion
Change in funding, FY 2024 to FY 2025: +13.8% (+$123.70 million)
Weapon description: Battle tank
Program category: U.S. Army ground systems
Primary contractor(s): General Dynamics

30. JLTV (Joint Light Tactical Vehicle)

FY 2025 budget: $1.18 billion
Change in funding, FY 2024 to FY 2025: -1.0% (-$12.30 million)
Weapon description: Armored, configurable combat support vehicle
Program category: Joint service ground systems
Primary contractor(s): Oshkosh Defense, AM General

29. SM-6 (Standard Missile-6)

FY 2025 budget: $1.22 billion
Change in funding, FY 2024 to FY 2025: -24.2% (-$391.50 million)
Weapon description: Maritime, surface-to-air missile carried by cruisers and destroyers
Program category: U.S. Navy missiles and munitions
Primary contractor(s): Raytheon

28. GMLRS (Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System)

FY 2025 budget: $1.24 billion
Change in funding, FY 2024 to FY 2025: +20.9% (+$214.70 million)
Weapon description: Surface-to-surface artillery rockets
Program category: Joint service missiles and munitions
Primary contractor(s): Lockheed Martin

27. FLRAA (Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft)

FY 2025 budget: $1.26 billion
Change in funding, FY 2024 to FY 2025: +20.7% (+$216.10 million)
Weapon description: Development of next-generation vertical lift tactical assault/utility aircraft
Program category: U.S. Army aircraft and related systems
Primary contractor(s): Bell Helicopter Textron

26. FFG(X) Constellation Class Guided Missile Frigate

FY 2025 budget: $1.28 billion
Change in funding, FY 2024 to FY 2025: -44.1% (-$1.01 billion)
Weapon description: Anti-air, anti-submarine, and anti-surface capable frigate vessel
Program category: U.S. Navy shipbuilding and maritime systems
Primary contractor(s): Fincantieri Marinette Marine

25. Aegis Sea-Based Weapons System

FY 2025 budget: $1.31 billion
Change in funding, FY 2024 to FY 2025: -24.1% (-$414.90 million)
Weapon description: Maritime missile defense system
Program category: Joint service missile defense
Primary contractor(s): Lockheed Martin, Raytheon

24. B-1, B-2, B-52 Bombers

FY 2025 budget: $1.39 billion
Change in funding, FY 2024 to FY 2025: +11.1% (+$139.70 million)
Weapon description: Legacy long-range bomber aircraft
Program category: U.S. Air Force aircraft and related systems
Primary contractor(s): Northrop Grumman, Boeing

23. CJADC2 Programs (Combined Joint All Domain Command and Control)

FY 2025 budget: $1.43 billion
Change in funding, FY 2024 to FY 2025: +37.9% (+$394.00 million)
Weapon description: Data, analytics, AI, and advanced network integration program
Program category: Joint service command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence
Primary contractor(s): N/A

22. GPS III & Projects (Global Positioning System Enterprise)

FY 2025 budget: $1.52 billion
Change in funding, FY 2024 to FY 2025: +20.6% (+$259.90 million)
Weapon description: Tools and technology providing 3D positioning, navigation, and timing information
Program category: U.S. Space Force space based systems
Primary contractor(s): Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, BAE Systems, L3 Harris

21. F-22 Raptor

FY 2025 budget: $1.63 billion
Change in funding, FY 2024 to FY 2025: +7.2% (+$109.10 million)
Weapon description: Fifth-generation air superiority fighter jet
Program category: U.S. Air Force aircraft and related systems
Primary contractor(s): Lockheed Martin, Pratt & Whitney

20. LPD 17 San Antonio Class Amphibious Ship

FY 2025 budget: $1.65 billion
Change in funding, FY 2024 to FY 2025: +2030.2% (+$1.58 billion)
Weapon description: Amphibious-assault transport dock shop
Program category: U.S. Navy shipbuilding and maritime systems
Primary contractor(s): Huntington Ingalls

19. CVN Refueling Complex Overhaul

FY 2025 budget: $1.74 billion
Change in funding, FY 2024 to FY 2025: +94.1% (+$842.70 million)
Weapon description: Modernization and repairs for Nimitz class aircraft carriers
Program category: U.S. Navy shipbuilding and maritime systems
Primary contractor(s): Huntington Ingalls

18. F/A-18 Super Hornet

FY 2025 budget: $1.81 billion
Change in funding, FY 2024 to FY 2025: -1.4% (-$26.50 million)
Weapon description: Carrier-based multi-role tactical fighter and attack aircraft
Program category: U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aircraft and related systems
Primary contractor(s): Boeing, General Electric

17. CVN 78 Gerald R. Ford Class Nuclear Aircraft Carrier

FY 2025 budget: $2.34 billion
Change in funding, FY 2024 to FY 2025: -13.5% (-$365.00 million)
Weapon description: Aircraft carrier
Program category: U.S. Navy shipbuilding and maritime systems
Primary contractor(s): Huntington Ingalls

16. F-15 Eagle

Nellis+AFB | Red Flag, Nellis AFB, NV - F-15E Strike Eagle 90-0237 391st Fighter Squadron 366th Fighter Wing - Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho.

FY 2025 budget: $2.36 billion
Change in funding, FY 2024 to FY 2025: -30.1% (-$1.02 billion)
Weapon description: Multi-role fighter jet
Program category: U.S. Air Force aircraft and related systems
Primary contractor(s): Boeing

15. NSSL & RSLP Launch Enterprise

FY 2025 budget: $2.40 billion
Change in funding, FY 2024 to FY 2025: -20.2% (-$605.30 million)
Weapon description: Procurement of services and support for launching national security satellites
Program category: U.S. Space Force space based systems
Primary contractor(s): SpaceX, United Launch Alliance, Northrop Grumman, Rocket Lab, VOX Space

14. Trident II Ballistic Missile Modifications

FY 2025 budget: $2.47 billion
Change in funding, FY 2024 to FY 2025: +31.8% (+$595.50 million)
Weapon description: Nuclear-capable, submarine launched ballistic missile
Program category: U.S. Navy missiles and munitions
Primary contractor(s): Lockheed Martin

13. GMD (Ground-based Midcourse Defense)

FY 2025 budget: $2.53 billion
Change in funding, FY 2024 to FY 2025: -17.9% (-$550.10 million)
Weapon description: Missile defense system for threats in mid-flight
Program category: Joint service missile defense
Primary contractor(s): Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin

12. CH-53K Heavy Lift Replacement Helicopter

FY 2025 budget: $2.69 billion
Change in funding, FY 2024 to FY 2025: +11.0% (+$266.70 million)
Weapon description: Heavy-lift helicopter
Program category: U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aircraft and related systems
Primary contractor(s): Sikorsky, General Electric

11. KC-46A Pegasus

FY 2025 budget: $2.97 billion
Change in funding, FY 2024 to FY 2025: -1.1% (-$34.00 million)
Weapon description: Aerial refueling aircraft
Program category: U.S. Air Force aircraft and related systems
Primary contractor(s): Boeing

10. LGM-35A Sentinel

FY 2025 budget: $3.73 billion
Change in funding, FY 2024 to FY 2025: -13.0% (-$558.50 million)
Weapon description: Nuclear-capable, ground-based ballistic missile
Program category: U.S. Air Force missiles and munitions
Primary contractor(s): Northrop Grumman

9. Cyberspace Activities

FY 2025 budget: $3.96 billion
Change in funding, FY 2024 to FY 2025: -2.5% (-$101.10 million)
Weapon description: Improve cybersecurity, cyberspace capability, and fund research and development
Program category: Joint service command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence
Primary contractor(s): N/A

8. Satellite Communications (SATCOM) Projects

FY 2025 budget: $4.20 billion
Change in funding, FY 2024 to FY 2025: +4.3% (+$174.20 million)
Weapon description: Satellite-based DOD communication systems
Program category: U.S. Space Force space based systems
Primary contractor(s): Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics, Boeing

7. OPIR Space Based Missile Warning Systems

FY 2025 budget: $4.68 billion
Change in funding, FY 2024 to FY 2025: -5.8% (-$288.60 million)
Weapon description: Satellite-based missile warning and tracking systems
Program category: U.S. Space Force space based systems
Primary contractor(s): Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman

6. Ammunition

FY 2025 budget: $5.16 billion
Change in funding, FY 2024 to FY 2025: +3.9% (+$196.00 million)
Weapon description: Firearm ammunition, artillery and mortar projectiles, grenades, shoulder launched munitions, and rocket-assisted projectiles
Program category: Joint service missiles and munitions
Primary contractor(s): Multiple publicly and privately owned contractors

5. B-21 Raider

FY 2025 budget: $5.34 billion
Change in funding, FY 2024 to FY 2025: +0.4% (+$22.30 million)
Weapon description: New long-range stealth bomber aircraft
Program category: U.S. Air Force aircraft and related systems
Primary contractor(s): Northrop Grumman

4. DDG 51 Arleigh Burke Class Destroyer

FY 2025 budget: $7.07 billion
Change in funding, FY 2024 to FY 2025: +39.3% (+$2.00 billion)
Weapon description: Anti-air, anti-submarine, and anti-surface capable destroyer vessel
Program category: U.S. Navy shipbuilding and maritime systems
Primary contractor(s): Huntington Ingalls, General Dynamics

3. SSN 774 Virginia Class Submarine

FY 2025 budget: $8.21 billion
Change in funding, FY 2024 to FY 2025: -24.3% (-$2.64 billion)
Weapon description: Nuclear -powered attack submarine
Program category: U.S. Navy shipbuilding and maritime systems
Primary contractor(s): Huntington Ingalls, General Dynamics

2. SSBN 826 Columbia Class Ballistic Missile Submarine

FY 2025 budget: $9.88 billion
Change in funding, FY 2024 to FY 2025: +58.9% (+$3.66 billion)
Weapon description: Nuclear -powered, nuclear-armed submarine
Program category: U.S. Navy shipbuilding and maritime systems
Primary contractor(s): Huntington Ingalls, General Dynamics

1. F-35 Joint Strike Fighter

FY 2025 budget: $12.43 billion
Change in funding, FY 2024 to FY 2025: -8.5% (-$1.16 billion)
Weapon description: Fifth-generation strike fighter jet
Program category: Joint service aircraft and related systems
Primary contractor(s): Lockheed Martin, Pratt & Whitney

Want to Retire Early? Start Here ^(Sponsor)

Want retirement to come a few years earlier than you’d planned? Or are you ready to retire now, but want an extra set of eyes on your finances?

Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help you build your plan to retire early. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.

Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.

The post Guess Which Military Weapons Program Is Costing Billions of Your Tax Dollars appeared first on 24/7 Wall St..