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Most Expensive Plane: B-2 Bomber costs more than the Space Shuttle
Anything that flies, specially if it is a weapon system like a B-2, or the Shuttle, or a business jet, costs and arm, and a leg and sometimes bankrupt the unaware. (news.yahoo.com) Plus d'info...
One could argue that each B2 costs incremental 1Billion to build. but you have to amortize the development cost somewhere.. and with 44B total program cost & 21 Built/Delivered. 2B per unit is the new Price.
That is a little more than a brand new Space shuttle.
Let's also keep in mind a B2 doesn't do anything by itself. it requires in-flight refueling infrastructure, AWACS support & other costs to run a straight-forward bombing mission.
That is a little more than a brand new Space shuttle.
Let's also keep in mind a B2 doesn't do anything by itself. it requires in-flight refueling infrastructure, AWACS support & other costs to run a straight-forward bombing mission.
If you go as far as saying that the B2 does nothing by itself keep in mind that is every asset in the U.S. Airforce. Planes do fly without fuel, targets are seen further away with radar. The cost of a offensive military air power i.e the US Airforce will take a large chunk of change to maintain a certian level of operational readiness.
You can add into that it's incredibly high operating and maintenance costs.
I'm guessing Yahoo wanted some filler for their news page! Yeah, when you're talking about a new-technology, low-production, highly-specialized aircraft like the B2, the higher price tag shouldn't be that surprising. I am very glad we have them in our fleet!
2- the technology leap with this program paid off in other stealth projects
3- the plane gives us a means of attacking targets that B52s and B1s could never approach