| Rank | Name | Price $ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | B-2 Spirit | 2.4 billion |
| 2 | F22 Raptor | 350 million |
| 3 | C17A Globemaster III | 328 million |
| 4 | P-8A Poseidon | 290 million |
| 5 | VH-71 Kestrel | 241 million |
Source: CNN
B-2 Spirit: $2.4 billion
The B-2 bomber was so costly that Congress cut its initial 1987 purchase order from 132 to 21. (A 2008 crash leaves the current number at 20.) The B-2 is hard to detect via infrared, acoustic, electromagnetic, visual or radar signals. This stealth capability makes it able to attack enemy targets with less fear of retaliation. In use since 1993, the B-2 has been deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan.
F-22 Raptor: $350 million
First conceived during the Cold War as an airframe to vie with Soviet aircraft that was never built, the F-22 is touted by manufacturer Lockheed Martin as the best overall combat plane in the world — not to mention the most expensive. It can shoot down enemy cruise missiles, fly long distances at supersonic speeds and avoid nearly all types of radar detection. But the Senate debate over whether to build seven more — at a taxpayer cost of $1.67 billion — eventually came down to the plane's job-creating abilities. The axed project would have employed 25,000 Americans.
C17A Globemaster III: $328 million
The Air Force military-transport plane is used to move troops into war zones, perform medical evacuations and conduct airdrop missions. There are 190 C17As in service; the aircraft is propelled by four turbofan engines (of the same type used on the twin-engine Boeing 757) and can drop 102 paratroopers at once. In operation since 1993, it has been used to deliver troops and humanitarian aid to Afghanistan and Iraq.
P-8A Poseidon: $290 million
Boeing's spruced-up military version of its 737 jet will be used by the Navy to conduct anti-submarine warfare and gather intelligence. It can carry torpedoes, missiles, depth charges and other weapons. The P-8A is expected to go into service in 2013.
The Lockheed Martin US-101 is an all weather medium lift military helicopter built by Lockheed Martin, it was chosen to replace the 11 VH-3D Sea King helicopters in a new fleet of 28 “Marine One” helicopters for use by the US President.
This high-tech helicopter project was running more than 50% over budget by the time Barack Obama took office. Soon after his Inauguration, the President announced to stop the design of helicopters because of cost overruns. However later the House Appropriations Committee unanimously approved restoring $485 million to fund the Kestrels.