Tanks, and Astronomical Price Tags: The World's Costliest Military Engineering Marvels
11. Raptor F-22
The F-22 Raptor, produced by Lockheed Martin, joined the service in 1997 and is valued at approximately $350 million. This single-seat, twin-engine, all-weather stealth fighter was developed as part of the Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) program, representing a significant leap in military aviation technology.
While the primary mission of the F-22 Raptor is air superiority, it is also capable of performing various other roles, including electronic warfare, ground attack, and signal intelligence. Its advanced stealth capabilities allow it to operate undetected, providing a strategic advantage in combat scenarios.
The F-22 Raptor, developed primarily by Lockheed Martin Corp, has seen contributions from Boeing Co., which provided the aft fuselage, avionics, training systems, and wings. According to officials from the United States Air Force (USAF), the F-22 is considered a “critical component” of the branch’s tactical power, underscoring its importance in modern air combat.
A total of 195 F-22 Raptors have been produced, with 187 currently operational. Despite its advanced capabilities, the production program was shut down in 2011, largely due to the development of the F-35 and other strategic considerations.
