The 10 Most Expensive Weapons in the World

[웃 910]

The 10 Most Expensive Weapons in the World

The 10 most expensive weapons systems in the world total $868 billion in research and development and manufacturing costs. The Department of Defense has commissioned each of the weapons. The White

House recently released its strategic guidance, "Sustaining U.S. Global Leadership: Priorities for 21st Century Defense," to address the upcoming $1 trillion defense budget cuts over the next decade. The costs of these expensive weapons systems illustrates the difficulty in cutting so much from the federal defense budget.

To understand the magnitude of these weapons' budgets, one only needs to look at the recent government initiatives aimed to save the economy. The $868 billion cost of the most expensive weapons in the world is much more than the $700 billion set aside by Congress as part of the TARP to salvage the nation's massive financial

system. It is also more than President Obama's $787 billion stimulus package approved by Congress in February 2009.

The Pentagon breaks the costs of weapons into two categories. The first is research and development. The second is the actual costs to buy the weapons. Together, the two figures can be staggering. The total cost of the Virginia Class Submarine, for example, surpasses $83 billion. That entire amount has been and will be invested to launch only 30 of the weapons. All told, it is an extraordinary expense base to maintain America's defense.

24/7 Wall St. reviewed the figures from the Department of Defense budget and provided by the General Accounting Office to find the 10 Most Expensive Weapons in the World."

10. P-8A Poseidon

> Type: surveillance/antisubmarine plane

> Total Cost: $33 billion

> R&D: $8.2 billion

> Procurement Cost: $24.2 billion

> Total Units: 122

> Price per Unit: $206.5 million

The Boeing P-8A Poseidon is an ocean patrol and antisubmarine aircraft. While it is combat-equipped, the Poseidon's main function will be to patrol the skies with its state-of-the-art sensory equipment. While Boeing (NYSE: BA) used the 737-800 fuselage as a starting point, it made major modifications to turn the airplane into an effective antisubmarine and surveillance vehicle. The company added the wings of the 737-900, which are necessary to support the four AGM-84K standoff missiles on hard points. The plane's cargo bay carries Mk 54 torpedoes and mines. The military has ordered 122 of these planes to replace its PC-3 orion fleet.

9. CVN-78 Class

> Type: aircraft carrier

> Total Cost: $34 billion

> R&D: $4.6 billion

> Procurement Cost: $29.3 billion

> Total Units: 3

> Price per Unit: $9,782.3

The CVN-78 is the first of the Navy's next generation of aircraft carrier. It was designed by Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC). The government ordered three carriers for delivery over the next 10 years, with the first carrier, the USS Gerald Ford, set to join the fleet in 2015. When completed, at $9.8 billion, it will be the most expensive single piece of military equipment ever assembled. The massive carrier is intended to replace the long-serving USS Enterprise. The new ship will be nearly three football fields long and weigh more than 100,000 tons. The flight deck, which will support more than 75 aircraft, will span an estimated area of 4.5 acres. The massive floating base will also have two cutting-edge nuclear reactors and be equipped with Evolved Sea Sparrow missiles for defense.

8. Joint Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle

> Type: armored transport vehicle

> Total Cost: $41.6 billion

> R&D: $0.7 billion

> Procurement Cost: $40.9 billion

> Total Units: 26,552

> Price per Unit: $1.6 million

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have posed a set of new problems to the U.S. military. The biggest of these was the issue of roadside bombs, or "improvised explosive devices," also known as IEDs. The military's solution to this problem was the Joint Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle, or MRAP. Development of the MRAP program began in 2006, and now there are more than 26,500 separate units on the Department of Defense's budget. The vehicles are produced by different contractors, and come in different shapes and sizes, depending on their role, but most vehicles have a V-shaped chassis to deflect blasts from under the vehicle, as well as armor and glass capable of withstanding 0.50 caliber rounds.

7. Trident II Missile

> Type: ballistic missile

> Total Cost: $53.2 billion

> R&D: $16.8 billion

> Procurement Cost: $35 billion

> Total Units: 561

> Price per Unit: $65.7 million

Developed by Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), the Trident II is the latest and most advanced version of the U.S. Navy's ballistic missiles. Equipped with a thermonuclear warhead, the Trident II is carried by most Ohio-class submarines, as well as some British vessels. The missile is 44 feet long and weighs 80 tons. Equipped with a three-stage rocket, the missile is capable of traveling at more than 13,000 miles per hour, and has a range of 4,600 miles. The Department of Defense currently has 561 Tridents on the budget, each worth more than $65 million, not counting research and development costs.

6. V-22 Osprey

> Type: tiltrotor transport plane

> Total Cost: $57.8 billion

> R&D: $13.6 billion

> Procurement Cost: $43.5 billion

> Total Units: 459

> Price per Unit: $95.2 million

Boeing's V-22 Osprey is a prop plane capable of both extremely short takeoffs and landings (STOL) as well as vertical takeoffs and landings (VTOL). The osprey is a tiltrotor aircraft, meaning its two 38-foot blades can tilt upwards and allow the aircraft to take off like a helicopter. The benefit of the V-22 is that once it is airborne and the rotors are tilted forward, it has a much greater range than a helicopter.The Osprey, which serves as a transport, can travel up to 390 nautical miles without refueling at speeds surpassing 260 miles per hour. There are 459 Ospreys currently on the Department of Defense's budget, each costing $95.2 million dollars.

5. F/A-18E/F Super Hornets

> Type: fighter jet

> Total Cost: $57.8 billion

> R&D: $7.3 billion

> Procurement Cost: $50.5 billion

> Total Units: 556

> Price per Unit: $90.8 million

The Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighter aircraft is a modernized version of the heavily-utilized F/A 18 Hornet. The plane, which comes in a single-seat (E) and two-seat version is primarily used by the Navy and stationed on aircraft carriers. The F/A 18 E/F carries a massive array of weaponry, including a 20 mm gun and eleven separate weapons stations, which can carry air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground missiles, and laser-guided bombs. The Super Hornet is one of the few Navy fighters that will not be phased out by the F-35 joint strike fighter. Each Super Hornet costs the military upwards of $90 million, not counting development costs. The Department of Defense has 556 on its budget.

4. F-22 Raptor

> Type: stealth fighter jet

> Total Cost: $79.2 billion

> R&D: $40.5 billion

> Procurement Cost: $37.9 billion

> Total Units: 188

> Price per Unit: $211.6 million

The Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22 Raptor is arguably the most advanced fighter jet in the world. It is also the most expensive, costing $211 million per jet. Just 10 of these aircraft combined are worth more than the GDP of Greenland. The DOD currently has 188 on its budget. The Raptor, which first came into operation in 2005, is an extremely fast stealth fighter and is designed to identify, track and take out targets before it is ever actually seen. The fighter is equipped with two AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, six medium-range air-to-air missiles, a 20 mm gatling gun, two 1,000 pound bombs and eight 250 pound bombs.

3. Virginia Class Submarine

> Type: nuclear submarine

> Total Cost: $83.7 billion

> R&D: $7.2 billion

> Procurement Cost: $76.6 billion

> Total Units: 30

> Price per Unit: $2,552.6 million

The Virginia Class submarines are arguably the most advanced nuclear subs in the world. The Virginia is 377 feet long and weighs 7,800 tons, or the equivalent of 821 school buses. The massive underwater craft is produced by General Dynamics (NYSE; GD) Electric Boat and Newport News Shipbuilding, which are the only two shipyards capable of building nuclear subs. The Virginias carry 38 different weapons, including Tomahawk Cruise Missiles, mines and torpedoes. While eight are currently in operation, the Department of Defense has 30 of these $2.5 billion subs budgeted.

2. DDG 51 Destroyer

> Type: destroyer

> Total Cost: $101.8 billion

> R&D: $5.1

> Procurement Cost: $96.6 billion

> Total Units: 75

> Price per Unit: $1,299.3 million

The DDG 51, also known as the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, has been in service since 1991. By now, there are roughly 60 in active service, with another 15 in the Department of Defense's budget. Each warship is more than 500 feet, stem to stern, with the second, larger generation of Arleigh Burkes displacing roughly 9,200 tons. The destroyer is produced by a large group of contractors, including Bath Iron Works, General Dynamics and Northrop Grumman. The crew on each is roughly 350 servicemen. The newest generation is equipped with two vertical launching systems for tomahawk missiles, a 5″ gun, torpedoes and an advanced mine-detection system.

1. Joint Strike Fighter

> Type: multi-role fighter jet

> Total Cost: $326.5 billion

> R&D: $58.4 billion

> Procurement Cost: $267.6 billion

> Total Units: 2,457

> Price per Unit: $109.5 million

The F-35 Lightning II multirole jet fighter, which is still under development, integrates advanced stealth technologies and sensor systems with supersonic speed. The military intends the relatively low-cost flexible stealth fighters to perform several different roles, such as air-to-surface, air-to-air and reconnaissance missions. Lockheed Martin and its partners are developing three separate aircraft using one chassis. The F-35A will use standard takeoff and landing and will be used primarily by the Air Force. The F-35B will have short takeoffs and vertical landings and be used by the Marines. The F-35C will be able to take off and land on carriers. The Department of Defense has budgeted nearly 2,500 of the aircraft, with each costing just under $110 million. The total price tag is $326.5 billion.

The 10 Most Expensive Weapons in the World

Edited January 9, 2012 by ☠

[F & J 21]

Would you say the #1 area to cut spending is within our defense budget? The absolute very first place to look and slash 10s, maybe even 100s of billions?

It depends on which parts of the defense budget they plan to cut. From what we've seen and heard in the news, it seems like the Obama administration is "considering" screwing over veterans - unless they actually plan on grandfathering the servicemen who have already fought in Iraq and Afghanistan into the current military retirement and health plans, I find it extremely unfair and ungrateful to pull benefits from people who have fought for their country's freedom.

Edited January 9, 2012 by Fatima and Jim

[Ban Hammer 13,509]

9. CVN-78 Class

> Price per Unit: $9,782.3

that's a bargain. i think i'll buy one too!

[slim 1,530]

Part of the reason these units end up costing so much is congress halts production half-way through. "We've already spent $3.2 BILLION dollars on this project. We need to shut it down."

What they fail to realize, and what most Americans have been duped into disbelieving, is we actually SAVE money by producing more weapons. The reason weapons systems are so costly is because it costs so much to develop them. When we end up making only a few "copies" then each copy costs more.

Think of it in terms of printing a short book. You have to come up with the story before you buy a press, binding equipment, paper, ink, etc., and then you have to pay skilled workers to make your books, people to deliver them, etc. If you were to do all that and sell 2 copies, your books would be horribly expensive. But, if you were to sell a million copies - you could probably turn a profit.

The other thing is we can't truly quantify our technology. Take for instance thermal imaging weapon sights. They're expensive. Very expensive. But, in the field, they save American lives.

How much is each life worth?

[SMR 368]

Part of the reason these units end up costing so much is congress halts production half-way through. "We've already spent $3.2 BILLION dollars on this project. We need to shut it down."

What they fail to realize, and what most Americans have been duped into disbelieving, is we actually SAVE money by producing more weapons. The reason weapons systems are so costly is because it costs so much to develop them. When we end up making only a few "copies" then each copy costs more.

Think of it in terms of printing a short book. You have to come up with the story before you buy a press, binding equipment, paper, ink, etc., and then you have to pay skilled workers to make your books, people to deliver them, etc. If you were to do all that and sell 2 copies, your books would be horribly expensive. But, if you were to sell a million copies - you could probably turn a profit.

The other thing is we can't truly quantify our technology. Take for instance thermal imaging weapon sights. They're expensive. Very expensive. But, in the field, they save American lives.

How much is each life worth?

We don't save money by building more weapons. In the OP, R&D is separated out and not included in the procurement cost. Admittedly, even after R&D, production costs are going to go down with economies of scale. But that only means that per piece the price goes down. You still pay more in total the more you get. For instance, you may be able to buy twice the missiles and only pay 50% more. But then you end up with twice as many missiles as you need and paying 50% more than you needed to.

Of course you can argue that you can't have too many missiles but in the end a lot of them will be unused and turn obsolete. As far as planes, for instance, you can only really have as many as you plan on having maintenance crews, ammunition, and pilots for. Extra doesn't help anything.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

It depends on which parts of the defense budget they plan to cut. From what we've seen and heard in the news, it seems like the Obama administration is "considering" screwing over veterans - unless they actually plan on grandfathering the servicemen who have already fought in Iraq and Afghanistan into the current military retirement and health plans, I find it extremely unfair and ungrateful to pull benefits from people who have fought for their country's freedom.

fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan was/is not fighting for this country's freedom, despite any bullshit rhetoric that's out there....

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

The military-industrial complex has become a great tyranny to the American people, in particular the taxpayer.

[slim 1,530]

The military-industrial complex has become a great tyranny to the American people, in particular the taxpayer.

The irony is the ones paying for it - those actually paying taxes - don't seem to mind. It's those who DON'T pay taxes that raise a big stink about it.

Competition, I guess. How can you get free money if all the money is being used to buy bullets?

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

The irony is the ones paying for it - those actually paying taxes - don't seem to mind. It's those who DON'T pay taxes that raise a big stink about it.

Competition, I guess. How can you get free money if all the money is being used to buy bullets?

I'm one of the ones who actually pays taxes.

[slim 1,530]

I'm one of the ones who actually pays taxes.

And you believe defense is the number one thing to be cut?

[웃 910]

And you believe defense is the number one thing to be cut?

You want to cut welfare before warfare?

[^_^ 5,021]

I pay a fuckton of taxes and I voted Yes.

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

And you believe defense is the number one thing to be cut?

I think the budget needs to be cut across the board.

[Laser1 63]

Because the U.S. is focusing more attention on Asia, I would keep the naval programs, and cut the number of MRAPS and Trident IIs.

[slim 1,530]

You want to cut welfare before warfare?

There should be ZERO welfare in the federal budget. NONE.

If you read the constitution (I know, I know) there are explicit details about defense spending. Not so much about welfare. None, actually. Contrary to popular belief that doesn't mean the congress is free to do them... it means they can't do them. They have a list of responsibilities and prohibitions. Welfare is nowehere to be found.

Because the U.S. is focusing more attention on Asia, I would keep the naval programs, and cut the number of MRAPS and Trident IIs.

Good thing you're not in charge of the budget.