10 most expensive military aircraft in the world

The principle “You get what you pay for” is often applied to consumer goods, but this saying is perfect when it comes to weapons spending. For example, about the creation of military aircraft, which cost tens, or even hundreds of millions of dollars. It is a technologically advanced weapon capable of wreaking havoc and destruction almost anywhere on Earth.

Introducing you top 10 most expensive military aircraft in the world according to the Internet projects Air Force Technology, Money Inc and Aero Time.

10. Chengdu J-20 Black Eagle

Cost - $ 110 million

The fifth-generation single-seat stealth fighter (according to western classification), produced by the Chinese company Chengdu Aerospace Corporation, made its first flight in January 2011, and since March 2017 it has been "put on allowance" in the Air Force of the People's Republic of China.

Each J-20 is worth about $ 110 million, and the total cost of the program is estimated at about $ 4.4 billion. A number of media outlets reported that the Chinese fighter was equipped with Russian AL-31FN engines intended for fourth generation fighters. In the future, the car will receive an improved AL-41 engine.

The J-20 reaches high altitudes (ceiling - 20,000 meters) at a supersonic speed of about 2,100 km / h. It has a combat radius of 2,000 kilometers and a range of 5,500 kilometers.

9. Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey

Worth $ 118 million

The multipurpose combat tiltrotor (combines the advantages of an aircraft and a helicopter) made its maiden flight in March 1989. But accidents during flight tests and unstable funding led to delays in the release of this model.

It was only in 2007 that the aircraft entered service with the United States Marine Corps. The US Air Force introduced its version of the aircraft (CV-22B) in 2009, and the US Navy plans to use the CMV-22B variant in 2021.

The V-22 has the unique ability to take off and land vertically, like a helicopter, but has the range, speed and takeoff weight of a fixed wing aircraft.

8.F-35 Lightning II

Plane price - $ 122 million

This winged combat vehicle is completely invisible to enemy radars, without sacrificing either speed or weapons. It can perform the function of a fighter-bomber and conduct aerial combat if the need arises.

The F-35 also has the ability to perform vertical maneuvers, making it the first jet fighter to have this takeoff capability. Although in the ranking of the most expensive military aircraft, Lightning II occupies only the eighth line,

it is the most expensive aircraft in the history of aviation, in terms of production and other costs, including consulting and technical support, pilot training for new aircraft, the cost of ancillary equipment, and more. All this cost $ 345 billion.

7.F-35B Lightning II

The creation of the plane cost $ 131.6 million

The US Marine Corps opted for the new F-35B fighters, which are a short take-off and vertical-landing variant (using STOVL technology). Such aircraft can take off and land from helicopter carriers and multi-purpose landing craft equipped with a flight deck. They can also take off and land in the normal way when longer runways are available at main bases.

By the way, Lockheed Martin - the developer of the F-35B - has officially recognized that the STOVL concept, albeit with significant changes, comes from the Soviet prototype, the Yakovlev Design Bureau Yak-141.

6.F-35C Joint Strike Fighter

Cost - $ 131.2 million

Developing one of the world's most expensive combat aircraft and the first US Navy stealth aircraft was costly and difficult for the US Department of Defense. Most of the deficiencies were addressed during the design and development phase, but the fact that the total cost of the program is $ 400 billion has led to a number of new problems.

The Pentagon sought to speed up production of the F-35C so that the country's navy could bring the new aircraft into its fleet much faster, but the whole deal was stalled by price negotiations. At a price of $ 131.2 million per plane, there were not so many orders from foreign buyers.

However, in 2019, the United States Navy Commander and the United States Marine Corps' Deputy Aviation Commandant jointly announced that the aircraft carrier variant of the Joint Strike Fighter, the F-35C Lightning II, met all the requirements for it. These aircraft will replace the F-14 and earlier F / A-18s.

5. E-2D Advanced Hawkeye

The price of 1 unit is $ 232 million

In August 2007, the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, an upgraded version of the E-2 Hawkeye, took to the air for the first time. It differed from its predecessor in many technological improvements, including the ability to communicate and coordinate with all coastal, land and open sea vessels. The upgrade also included electronic and mechanical Active Scanning Radar (APY-9).

The E-2D is equipped with a fully integrated all-glass tactical cockpit, advanced mission computers, enhanced electronic support, and an upgraded suite of communications and data links. The latest version of the aircraft is equipped with a flight control system and two Allison / Rolls-Royce T56-A-427A turboprop engines (3800 kW).

4. P-8A Poseidon

The production of one aircraft costs $ 290 million

This militarized version of the Boeing 737-800ERX is fighting submarines, surface forces and blocking shipping, and also serves as an electronic reconnaissance.

Its arsenal includes torpedoes, depth charges, SLAM-ER missiles, Harpoon anti-ship missiles and other weapons. He can drop and control sonar buoys.

3.C17A Globemaster III

Price for 1 copy - 328 million dollars

The C17A is a military transport aircraft, but it was designed for emergencies. It has the ability to deliver military equipment, soldiers and vehicles anywhere in the world.

The Globemaster III is also used to airlift soldiers, tanks and other vehicles deep into war zones, conduct medical evacuations and participate in amphibious operations. This ability gives the US military a distinct advantage over adversaries in a land-based conflict.

2. F-22 Raptor

One Raptor - $ 350 million

The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor is a fifth-generation, single-seat, twin-engined, all-weather tactical stealth fighter designed for the United States Air Force. This was "their answer" to our improved MiG-29 and Su-27.

A product of the US Air Force's Advanced Tactical Fighter program, this aircraft was designed primarily as an air superiority fighter, but has additional capabilities, including ground attack, electronic warfare and reconnaissance functions. This man-made predator can shoot down enemy cruise missiles, fly long distances at supersonic speed, and avoid almost all types of radar.

1. B-2 Spirit

Most expensive military aircraft for 2020 - $ 2.1 billion

The Northrop B-2 Spirit, also known as the Stealth Bomber, is an American strategic heavy bomber using stealth technology designed to break through dense air defense systems. The B-2 Spirit's mission is to deliver conventional or nuclear weapons.

The original cost of the most expensive production aircraft in history was $ 737 million, making it the most expensive aircraft ever built. However, as a result of modernization and adjustments in 1997, its total cost reached $ 2.1 billion. The B-2 Spirit costs $ 135,000 an hour to run.

The aircraft has two main defenses against radar detection:

1. expensive coating of radio-absorbing materials, known as "alternative high-frequency material",
2. aerodynamic design "flying wing".

The jet jets of its engines are shielded. As a result, a stealth bomber is virtually undetectable by infrared, acoustic, electromagnetic, visual or radar signals, making it a valuable but extremely expensive weapon.

Every seven years, B-2 Spirit aircraft undergo a total upgrade worth $ 60 million.

The US government placed an order for 21 such aircraft, but then ceased production due to huge construction costs.

The most expensive military aircraft in Russia - Su-57 and Tu-160

Fighter Su-57

The domestic fifth-generation multifunctional fighter uses innovative technologies, in particular, the latest in-body missiles, which were tested at the end of August this year.

Other advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, laser weapons and hypersonic missiles could also be added to the aircraft, according to Military Watch magazine.

In length and wingspan (19.4 meters and 14 meters, respectively), the Su-57 is superior to the F-22, but inferior to the Su-27. It can perform tasks in integration with the latest Hunter unmanned aerial vehicle and itself is capable of flying in unmanned mode over long distances from the base.

In the Russian Air Force, the Su-57 is to replace the Su-27 heavy fighter. The estimated cost of 1 unit is $ 150-200 million.

Supersonic strategic bomber-missile carrier Tu-160M2

This powerful handsome man is an updated version of the famous "White Swan" -supersonicth strategicbomberand- missile carrierand with variable sweep wing, which made its first flight back in 1981, and entered service 6 years later. 

The bomber was used during the Syrian campaign, striking missilesX-555 by objectsbanned in Russia«Islamic State».  

Demonstration flightpartially modernized Tu-160 fromserial number 804 (preimageTu-160M2) took place in 2018, in the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin. At the same time, a contract was signed for the supply of 10newbombers forLong-range aviation Russian Air Force until 2027.Each of the new "White Swans"worth16 billion rubles or 217,5 millionand dollarsat the rate current at the time of this writing.  

A test flight of the deeply modernized Tu-160M ​​took place at the beginning of February this year at the KAZ airfield.Bydata TASS,from his predecessor Tu-160Mdistinguished by updated flight and navigation equipment,improved control system andonboard communications complex... Also updated radarand I stationI and a complex of electronic warfare."White swans" modifications160M / M2 will be able to lift up to 12wingedX-SD missilesdeveloped bycompany "Rainbow".  

At the end of August 2020, information appeared that the installation batch of new engines NK-32 of the second stage already submitted for installation on modernized Tu-160M... They will provide improved fuel efficiency and range.