How much does a modern day fighter jet cost?

In a vacuum, the F-35A, the Air Force’s version of the jet, costs $78 million. That’s actually not a bad price for the jet; when adjusted for inflation, it’s relatively close to the original quoted cost of $50 million.

How much did the F-35 cost?

The F-35 program is expected to cost taxpayers a total of $1.7 trillion across its lifecycle, according to the Pentagon’s Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation office’s 2020 estimate.

How much does an F 16 fighter jet cost?

Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70/72: $64 million. The F-16 was created as a light and maneuverable fighter jet that would offer an affordable alternative to the F-15.

What does a f22 cost?

The F-22 Cost Is Astronomical In fact, the U.S. Air Force stopped production early on the fifth generation fighter because of the soaring F-22 costs. The cost of one aircraft alone is an estimated $334 million which includes research and development (unit cost of $150 million).

How much is an F-22 fighter jet?

Why are fighter jets so expensive to operate?

Operating Costs of Fighter Jets 1 Cost of Fuel. The cost of fuelling a combat aircraft is very high. The majority of fighter jets around today are supersonic devices. 2 Maintenance Costs. Combat aircraft are built to take on and offload so much firepower. 3 Insurance Cost. Unlike commercial aircraft, military aircraft are not insured.

How much does a F-15 fighter jet cost?

Both cost approximately the same amount, about $80 million each. The F-15E Strike Eagle strike fighter was developed from the F-15 Eagle air superiority fighter, which explains why it cost the same as the plane that it replaced.

What was the cost of a fighter jet in 1959?

While they are publicly available and inexpensive today, the MiG-21 cost roughly $2.9 million dollars in 1959 when it was produced. A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon Block 40 aircraft after receiving fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft during a mission over Iraq on 10 June 2008.

How much does a Joint Strike Fighter cost?

The three Joint Strike Fighter aircraft all cost much more than their predecessors. A F-35A Joint Strike Fighter costs approximately $100 million, far more than the $35-40 million of the F-16 it replaces. The $131.2 million carrier-borne F-35C Joint Strike Fighter replaces the $65 million F/A-18C Hornet, a 100 percent increase.