USS Gerald R. Ford – Cost: $13.3 Billion

Let’s start our list with the most expensive of them all: the USS Gerald Ford. As of 2020, Bloomberg reports that the aircraft carrier would cost $13.3 billion to finish, making it the priciest warship in the world. What you might find even more interesting, though, is that it would primarily function to carry and transport aircraft.

The USS Gerald Ford will measure 250 feet high and 1,106 feet long when finished. Last we heard, it successfully passed a series of trials in early 2020 and is in the process of being outfitted with munitions elevators. It’s expected to be ready for deployment by 2024.

Boeing C17A Globemaster III – Cost: $328 Million

Speaking of carrier vehicles, here we have the Boeing C17A Globemaster III. The aircraft was designed to deliver military equipment, personnel, and other vehicles to other corners of the world. First used in the ‘90s, it specializes in dropping supplies and soldiers in areas with harsh terrain.

Although Boeing was gearing for high performance at an affordable cost, the C17A Globemaster III still cost $328 million to make. That price tag is likely worth it, though, because the aerospace company is responsible for the aircraft’s management and maintenance as part of their sustainment program contract.

Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey – Cost: $70 Million

As you probably know by now, Boeing isn’t just about making passenger planes and private jets. Here’s another one of the company’s military offerings: the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey. Made in tandem with the aircraft manufacturer Bell, it is an amphibious aircraft primarily used by the Marines.

Functioning as a transport vehicle for troops and equipment, it can carry up to 52,600 pounds of cargo to and from land bases and assault ships. The V-22 Osprey was initially used with caution by American troops in Iraq in 2008. They were converted, though, seeing the aircraft fly as high as 25,000 feet, making it safe from on-ground attacks.

Lockheed Martin VH-71 Kestrel – Cost: $241 Million

The President of the United States (POTUS) safety is of tantamount importance. So, it’s no surprise that the government was willing to shell out a lot of money for a new fleet of presidential helicopters in the early 2000s. And thus, the Lockheed Martin VH-71 Kestrel came to be.

Originally designed as a search and rescue vehicle, the VH-71 Kestrel was reimagined into an 18-seat, all-weather chopper. The manufacturing of the 23 flyers was beset with cost problems and was scrapped in 2009. Two years later, the helicopters were sold to Canada for $164 million.

Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor – Cost: $350 Million

Moving on to an investment that ended up paying off, let’s talk about the fighter aircraft, Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor. Costing $350 million apiece, it seems like the vessel lived up to its hefty price tag. It is considered an integral part of the Global Strike Task Force and is currently unmatched by any other fighter plane.

It’s particularly adept at attacking surface targets and has the ability to cruise at supersonic speeds. The F-22 Raptor carries various weapons on board, from two 1,000-pound Joint Direct Attack Munitions to a couple of medium-range missiles.

Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit – Cost: $2 Billion

The Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit looks like something straight out of a sci-fi movie. It operates like one, too. Thanks to its flying wing design, it can go practically undetected by radar technology despite being 69 feet long and having a wingspan of 172 feet.