These Are The Most Expensive Military Vehicles in the World

Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin, Boeing
Primary Users: U.S. Air Force
Program Cost: $67.3 billion* (FY2010)
Unit Cost: $150 million* (flyaway cost for FY2009)

The F-22 Raptor is a twin-engine, single-seat, all-weather tactical pocket-rocket that was developed for the US Air Force. Produced from 1996 until 2011, the F-22 is the product of the Advanced Tactical Fighter Program. It’s safe to say that it’s a true masterpiece!

Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor (USA) ©Everett Collection / Shutterstock.com

The F-22 has tons of hi-tech gadgets at its disposal, including signal intelligence – not to mention it can travel at 2,414 km per hour! Though Lockheed Martin built the systems and airframe, Boeing made the training systems, avionics integration, aft fuselage, and wings. The Air Force has stated that the F-22 is a vital part of its impressive aircraft collection.

Manufacturer: General Dynamics Electric Boat
Primary Users: United States Navy
Program Cost: $15 billion* (FY2018)
Unit Cost: $5 billion* (FY2018)

The Seawolf-class is an SSN class that the U.S. Navy uses. 29 were scheduled for construction over a decade-long period, but that was reduced because of budget constraints and a decrease in demand, meaning just three submarines were made. As a result, the Seawolf-class is unlikely to get any more members.

Seawolf-class submarine (USA) ©viper-zero / Shutterstock.com

Built by General Dynamics, the Seawolf-class was first developed in 1989. It is faster, larger, and far quieter than Los Angeles submarines. The Seawolf-class can carry an incredible amount of equipment, as well as up to around 150 crew members.

Manufacturer: Northrop Grumman, Northrop Corporation, Hughes Aircraft Company
Primary Users: United States Air Force
Program Cost: $44.75 billion* (through 2004)
Unit Cost: $737 million*

The B-2 Spirit is well known for being one of the stealthiest aircraft that the US Air Force has on its roster. It’s capable of sneaking in like a thief in the night, which is why it’s often called upon for the riskiest of missions. It requires a crew of just two people – albeit highly trained ones.

B-2 Spirit (USA) ©Angel DiBilio / Shutterstock.com

Made by Northrop Grumman, the B-2 Spirit can carry out missions at altitudes of 50,000 feet. It has a range of over 6,900 miles using internal fuel. With one midair-refueling, the B-2 Spirit can travel over 12,000 miles. Although it’s been around since the first unit was produced in 1987, the B-2 Spirit shows no signs of slowing down.

Manufacturer: Aircraft Carrier Alliance
Primary Users: United Kingdom’s Royal Navy
Program Cost: $7.6 billion*
Unit Cost: $3.8 billion*

The Queen Elizabeth class consists of two aircraft carriers, one named after Queen Elizabeth I and the other named after the Prince of Wales. The HMS Queen Elizabeth was the first of its class, christened on July 4, 2014. The class is used by the UK’s Royal Navy. The HMS Prince of Wales launched on December 21, 2017.

Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier (UK) @LargestAircraftCarriers / Facebook.com

The carriers are configured in a STOVL arrangement, and they deploy the Lockheed Martin F-35B. Though Prince of Wales was originally intended to be built to a CATOBAR configuration, the rising costs of that project (nearly twice the original quote), led the British government to scrap that plan in 2012. 

Manufacturer: McDonnell Douglas, Northrop, Boeing
Primary Users: Kuwait, Israel, France, U.S., Canadian & Swiss Air forces
Program Cost: $270.53 million*
Unit Cost: $70.64 million* (FY2017)

Originally made by McDonnell Douglas, the Hornet is the Canadian version of the American F/A 18-Hornet. This famous jet was awarded to McDonnell Douglas after the defense company won the New Fighter Aircraft Project. Deliveries of the Hornet to the Canadian Forces started in 1982.

F/A-18 Hornet Canada @MilitaryPhotosHQ / Facebook.com

McDonnell Douglas’ Hornet is capable of delivering a nasty sting, just like the name suggests. Interestingly, the first flight took place over 40 years ago in 1974, but the aircraft wasn’t introduced to the market until 1983. Throughout its various incarnations, it has remained a popular jet.

Manufacturer: Fairchild Republic
Primary Users: U.S. Air Force
Cost: Program cost $33.15 billion* (FY2020) / Unit cost $46.3 million* (FY2020)

The A-10 Thunderbolt II is better known by its nickname the Warthog (or, simply, “The Hog”). The Warthog was designed for a multitude of things, including quick-action and air controller support. This jet might look small, but it can get the job done.

A-10 Warthog (USA) ©Michael Fitzsimmons / Shutterstock.com

The Warthog is as durable as the animal after which it is nicknamed, with over 1,200 pounds of titanium armor to ensure the safety of its crew. 716 Hogs were produced from 1972 until 1984, so it’s not exactly the latest high-flying bird, but it’s still one of the best. It was officially introduced to the USAF in October of 1977. Each unit costs a whopping $46.3 million, so you can’t exactly pick one up at Walmart.

Manufacturer: General Dynamics, Huntington Ingalls, Newport News
Primary Users: U.S. Navy
Cost: Program cost $118.8 billion* (FY2009) / Unit cost $1.8 billion* (FY2009)

Virginia class submarines benefit from America’s newest technologies, which allows each unit to have $1 billion less in building costs. The submarines are also called the SSN-774 class. While their size might make them look sluggish, they’re nothing of the sort. These subs are the latest in the Navy’s undersea platform. Virginia class submarines can take on almost anything as they’re so versatile.

Virginia Class Submarine (USA) ©General Dynamics Electric Boat / Wikimedia.com

General Dymanics’ Virginia-class submarines will replace the Los Angeles-class submarines, which are aging rapidly. 66 are planned, with 19 already completed and in active service. Eleven are in the building process, and six are on order, so the plans are already well underway.   

Manufacturer: Naval Group
Primary Users: French Navy
Cost: Program/Unit cost $3.54 billion* (FY2001)

The Charles de Gaulle is the French Navy’s flagship, and it was amazing that it was completed at all considering the constant delays that plagued its construction in the 1990s. It was finally completed (five years behind schedule) in 2001. It is the French Navy’s tenth aircraft carrier, but the first surface vessel to operate using nuclear power.

Charles De Gaulle Aircraft Carrier (France) ©Quirky Badger / Shutterstock.com

Charles de Gaulle is named after a French general and statesman. The ship can carry a wide range of aircraft, including E-2C Hawkeyes, Dassault Rafale Ms, EC725 Caracals, AS532 Cougars, and more. Charles de Gaulle has Aster missiles, cutting-edge electronics, and a CATOBAR configuration.

Manufacturer: BAE Systems Maritime Submarines
Primary Users: Royal Navy
Cost: Program cost $14 billion* (FY2015) / Unit cost $2 billion* (FY2015)

The Astute class of submarines is the latest in service with the UK’s Royal Navy. These SSNs have upgraded communications facilities, stealth capabilities, and much more to make them a true gem in the Royal Navy’s already glittering crown. BAE Systems Maritime Submarines is constructing the Astute-class at Barrow-in Furness. Seven are planned, and three are active now.

Astute Class Submarine (UK) ©Crown Copyright 2012 / Wikimedia.org

Astute has impressive specs to rival offerings from companies like Lockheed Martin. Coming in at over 318 feet long, it has Thales Sonar, an Atlas DESO 25 echo-sounder, and a Raytheon Successor IFF. The test depth of the Astute-class is over 984 feet. In a truly British stroke of genius, the reactor was built by luxury car retailer, Rolls-Royce.  

Manufacturer: Fincantieri
Primary Users: Italian Navy
Cost: Unit/Program cost $1.64 billion* (FY2010)

Cavour is the lead ship of the Italian Navy – and for good reason. It was commissioned in March of 2008, before it officially entered service on June 10, 2009. The spacious, Fincantieri-built aircraft carrier has room for sixteen F-35B Lightning IIs.

Cavour Aircraft Carrier (Italy) ©Massimo Todaro / Shutterstock.com

The aircraft carrier got its first taste of action when it was dispatched for Operation White Crane, which was Italy’s earthquake relief mission to Haiti. It supplemented further international efforts to victims of the catastrophic 7.0 earthquake, which killed between 220,000 and 316,000 people.

Manufacturer: Sikorsky Aircraft
Primary Users: U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Air Force, Japan Self Defense Forces, Republic of Korea Armed Forces, Columbian Armed Forces
Cost: Program cost $85.2 billion* (FY2012) / Unit cost $21.3 million* (FY2012)

Black Hawk, designed by Sikorsky, was named after a Native American warrior of the same name. The helicopter is a four-blade, medium-lift, twin-engine utility copter. The Black Hawk’s primary user is the U.S. Army, but it also has variations in use with the Coast Guard, Air Force, and Navy.

Black Hawk Helicopter (USA) ©VanderWolf Images / Shutterstock.com

The UH-60 Black Hawk has been in service since 1979. It had its first flight on October 17, 1974. Each unit costs $21.3 million, and 4,000 have been built since 1974. The Black Hawk has been with the American military branches in conflicts all around the world, from the Balkans to Africa. 

Manufacturer: Kawasaki Shipbuilding Corporation, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Primary Users: Japan Maritime Self Defense Force
Cost: Program Cost $5.903 billion* (FY2015) / Unit cost $536.7 million* (FY2015)

The Soryu class of submarines are attack submarines that run on a mix of diesel and electric power. The first boat in the Soryu class entered service in 2009 with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. The design of the Soryu-class came from the Oyashio-class, though the Soryu is easy to distinguish because it has X-shaped rudders and diving planes on its stern.

Soryu Class Submarine (Japan) ©viper-zero / Shutterstock.com

Twelve are planned, eleven have been completed, and one is in the process of building. This impressive sub has the largest displacement of any post-WWII submarine in Japan (4,134 long tons when submerged). The Soryu class is the first Japanese submarine to use air-independent propulsion. 

Manufacturer: Boeing (formerly Hughes Helicopters and McDonnell Douglas)
Primary Users: U.S. Army, Israeli Air Force, Royal Netherlands Air Force, Egyptian Air Force
Cost: Program cost $85.2 billion* (FY2014) / Unit cost $35.5 million* (FY2014)

Boeing’s highly-prized Apache was first flown on September 30, 1975, before entering into the US Army in April of 1986. Over 2,400 have been produced, but that number is set to rise. The Apache attack helicopter has been the pioneer of many advanced features, including the helmet-mounted display and the IHADDS.

Apache Helicopter (USA) ©Andy Dunaway / Shutterstock.com

Boeing has created many different aircraft over the years, but this particular feat of engineering might be one of the company’s finest (and most lucrative) works. Each unit costs $35.5 million, meaning the overall bill reaches well over $85 billion.

Manufacturer: Northrop Grumman
Primary Users: U.S. Navy
Program Cost: $12.7665 billion*
Unit Cost: $120 million*

The MQ-4C Triton is a long-endurance UAV that can fly at high altitudes. This special jet was developed for the Navy. The Navy uses it, along with the Royal Australian Air Force, for ISR missions over coastal and ocean regions. The Triton also conducts search and rescue missions and continuous maritime surveillance.

MQ-4C Triton (USA) @airlivenews / Facebook.com

Northrop Grumman’s Triton is a complement to the P-8 Poseidon, though it is based on the RQ-4 Global Hawk. Unlike the Global Hawk, the Triton has new reinforcements to its wing and airframe. It has better de-icing and lightning protection systems, allowing it to travel through clouds to get much better visuals.