America’s Most Expensive Military Weapons

The Cost Is Staggering, Even When They Work (And They Don’t Always)

America’s most expensive weapons are typically large-scale, technologically advanced systems designed for modern warfare. These weapons often have development, procurement, and operational costs that run into billions of dollars. The Fiscal Year 2024 Defense Appropriations Act provides $825 billion in total funding, and a request for $849 billion has already been submitted for the FY2025 budget. The numbers you see in this article are from the FY2023 and FY2024 budgets, so guess what? Today’s costs are likely higher. I will not attempt to list more than a few, but trust me on this – you would need to be reading from your morning coffee time until the evening cocktail hour to get through a full list. Here is a look at some of the most expensive weapons in America’s arsenal: (in no particular order).

Trigger Warning: Do Not Open the Problems Links If You Don’t Want To Know!

1. Gerald R. Ford-Class Aircraft Carrier

• Cost: Over $13 billion per ship (excluding research and development costs)
• Description: The Gerald R. Ford-class is the most advanced aircraft carrier in the world, featuring new electromagnetic catapults, advanced radar systems, and automation technologies that reduce the crew size. It represents the next generation of naval aviation platforms.
• Problems

2. Columbia-Class Submarine

• Cost: Estimated at $8 billion per submarine
• Description: The Columbia-class is set to replace the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines and will serve as a crucial component of the United States’ nuclear deterrence strategy.
• Problems

3. Zumwalt-Class Destroyer

• Cost: Around $4.4 billion per ship
• Description: The Zumwalt-class destroyer is a guided missile destroyer designed for stealth, equipped with advanced weaponry, and capable of performing a variety of missions, including land attack and naval surface warfare.
• Problems

4. Virginia-Class Submarine

• Cost: Approximately $3 billion per submarine
• Description: The Virginia-class submarines are nuclear-powered fast attack submarines designed for a variety of missions, including anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, and special operations.
• Problems

5. B-2 Spirit Bomber

• Cost: Approximately $2 billion per aircraft
• Description: The B-2 Spirit is a stealth bomber capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear weapons. Its stealth technology allows it to evade radar detection, making it a critical asset for penetrating heavily defended airspace.
• Problems

6. KC-46 Pegasus

• Cost: Approximately $192 million per aircraft, with a total program cost of over $30 billion
• Description: The KC-46 is a military aerial refueling and strategic military transport aircraft developed to replace the aging KC-135 Stratotankers.
• Problems

7. F-22 Raptor

• Cost: Approximately $150 million per aircraft
• Description: The F-22 Raptor is a fifth-generation stealth fighter designed for air superiority. It excels in speed, agility, and advanced avionics, making it one of the most dominant air-to-air combat platforms.
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8. RQ-4 Global Hawk

• Cost: Around $255 million per drone
• Description: The RQ-4 Global Hawk is a high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle used for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.
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9. F-35 Joint Strike Fighter

• Cost: Approximately $123 million per aircraft
• Description: 83 fighter jets (35 for U.S. Navy/Marines, 48 for Air Force)
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10. MH-139A Grey Wolf Helicopter

• Cost: Approximately $37 million per unit
• Description: 7 helicopters
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11. AO Armed Overwatch / Targeting (Air Tractor)

• Cost: Approximately $22 million per aircraft
• Description: Civilian version is sold for aerial application (crop dusting) at a cost of $2 million
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12. Paladin Integrated Management, Armoured Artillery Unit

• Cost: Approximately $19.6 million per tank
• Description: 24 artillery vehicles
• Problems

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