This US Air Force Plane Costs as Much as 3 Round Trips to the Moon

The United States continues to see an increase in the cost of aircraft as technology becomes more and more advanced.

24/7 Wall St. reviewed the 2024 World Air Forces report from FlightGlobal, an aviation and aerospace industry website, and various additional sources for prices of U.S. military aircraft listed to find the most expensive Air Force planes. Included in this list are the 24 aircraft with unit prices of more than $100 million – adjusted for inflation to March 2024 using the CPI inflation calculator from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Data on primary roles and primary contractors came from various military and historical sources.

Why This Matters

The B-21 Raider was unveiled to the public at a ceremony December 2, 2022 in Palmdale, Calif. Designed to operate in tomorrow's high-end threat environment, the B-21 will play a critical role in ensuring America's enduring airpower capability. (U.S. Air Force photo)

About 13% of the US annual budget ($806 billion) goes to the national defense. Overall, American military aircraft reflect a sizable portion of the U.S. defense budget, including continued development and maintenance. All of these aircraft represent the U.S.’s dedication to air superiority and safeguarding national security interests, which is heavily implied by their price tags. 24/7 Wall St. is writing about the cost of US military aircraft to help readers understand where their tax dollars go.

Here is a look at the most expensive airplanes in the U.S. military.

24. F-35C Lightning II

Two F-35C Lightning II aircraf... by Official U.S. Navy Page

Two F-35C Lightning II aircraf... (CC BY 2.0) by Official U.S. Navy Page

Est. cost per unit, 2024: $106.81 million
Active in U.S. Military: 553 (total F-35 count)
Primary role: Multirole: ground attack, air superiority
Primary contractors: Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and BAE Systems

23. CV-22 Osprey

Est. cost per unit, 2024: $107.47 million
Active in U.S. Military: 79
Primary role: Special operations forces long-range infiltration, exfiltration, and resupply
Primary contractors: Bell Textron and Boeing

22. HC-130P/N King

Est. cost per unit, 2024: $108.61 million
Active in U.S. Military: 40
Primary role: Rescue platform
Primary contractors: Lockheed Martin

21. B-52H Stratofortress

Est. cost per unit, 2024: $113.81 million
Active in U.S. Military: 72
Primary role: Heavy bomber
Primary contractors: The Boeing Company

20. F-35A Lightning II

Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II by :u0410u043du0434u0440u0435u043912.06.1992

Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II (CC BY-SA 4.0) by :u0410u043du0434u0440u0435u043912.06.1992

Est. cost per unit, 2024: $115.80 million
Active in U.S. Military: 553 (total F-35 count)
Primary role: Multirole: ground attack, air superiority
Primary contractors: Lockheed Martin

19. MC-130J Commando II

14-5805 Lockheed Martin MC-13... by Steve Knight

14-5805 Lockheed Martin MC-13... (CC BY 2.0) by Steve Knight

Est. cost per unit, 2024: $118.91 million
Active in U.S. Military: 57
Primary role: Infiltration, exfiltration and resupply of special operations forces by airdrop or airland, air refueling of SOF helicopter/tilt rotor aircraft
Primary contractors: Lockheed Martin

18. EC-130J Commando Solo

Est. cost per unit, 2024: $128.91 million
Active in U.S. Military: 7
Primary role: Airborne information operations broadcasts
Primary contractors: Lockheed Martin

17. U-2 Dragon Lady

Est. cost per unit, 2024: $134.64 million
Active in U.S. Military: 26
Primary role: high-altitude reconnaissance
Primary contractors: Lockheed Martin

16. Boeing C-32

Est. cost per unit, 2024: $136.94 million
Active in U.S. Military: 4
Primary role: Transport
Primary contractors: The Boeing Company

15. AC-130W Stinger II

Est. cost per unit, 2024: $142.98 million
Active in U.S. Military: 3
Primary role: Close air support and air interdiction with associated collateral missions
Primary contractors: Lockheed Martin

14. F-22 Raptor

08-4158 Lockheed Martin F-22 R... by Tomu00c3u00a1s Del Coro

08-4158 Lockheed Martin F-22 R... (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Tomu00c3u00a1s Del Coro

Est. cost per unit, 2024: $149.85 million
Active in U.S. Military: 178
Primary role: Air dominance, multi-role fighter
Primary contractors: Lockheed Martin, Boeing

13. E-6B Mercury Airborne Command Post

Est. cost per unit, 2024: $160.26 million
Active in U.S. Military: 16
Primary role: Communications relay for fleet ballistic missile submarines (A and B models) and airborne command post for U.S. Strategic forces (B model)
Primary contractors: The Boeing Company

12. KC-10 Extender

Est. cost per unit, 2024: $168.06 million
Active in U.S. Military: 40
Primary role: Aerial tanker and transport
Primary contractors: The Boeing Company

11. EC-130H Compass Call

Est. cost per unit, 2024: $182.13 million
Active in U.S. Military: 7
Primary role: Electronic warfare, suppression of enemy air defenses, and offensive counter-information
Primary contractors: BAE Systems and L3 Communications

10. MC-130H Combat Talon II

Lockheed MC-130H Combat Talon ... by Alan Wilson

Lockheed MC-130H Combat Talon ... (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Alan Wilson

Est. cost per unit, 2024: $187.43 million
Active in U.S. Military: 10
Primary role: Infiltration, exfiltration, and resupply of special operations forces
Primary contractors: Lockheed Martin

9. AC-130J Ghostrider

Lockheed-Martin AC-130J Ghostr... by Alan Wilson

Lockheed-Martin AC-130J Ghostr... (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Alan Wilson

Est. cost per unit, 2024: $193.27 million
Active in U.S. Military: 29
Primary role: Close air support and air interdiction with associated collateral missions
Primary contractors: Lockheed Martin