Most Expensive Military Programs

According to the Department of Defense, total spending on military programs through fiscal year 2013 is estimated to exceed $1.6 trillion. This figure is cited in the Selected Acquisition Report that the agency submitted to Congress in March.







The total program costs reflect both money that’s already been spent and money projected to be spent, in dollars unadjusted for inflation.

Based on the information in the report, CNBC.com presents the 10 most expensive military programs. Included are the insights of Winslow Wheeler, director of the Straus Military Reform Project of the Center for Defense Information in Washington. Wheeler worked on national security issues for such senators as David Pryor and Pete Domenici.

Read ahead to see the most expensive U.S. military programs currently under way.

1. F-35 Lightning II
Total program cost: $331.9 billion

The F-35 Lightning II is part of the Joint Strike Fighter Program, which is meant to phase out older generations of jets. It has three variants: the F-35A, the F-35B and the F-35C. These jets have conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) capability, STOVL capability and carrier-based capability, respectively.

The Joint Strike Fighter Program has encountered numerous cost overruns. In June, the Government Accountability Office released a report called “Joint Strike Fighter: DOD Actions Needed to Further Enhance Restructuring and Address Affordability Risks,” in which it stated that the program might cost over $1 trillion to operate.

2. Ballistic Missile Defense System
Total program cost: $126.2 billion

The Ballistic Missile Defense System is intended to protect the U.S. from an attack by intercontinental ballistic missiles, or ICBMs. It’s in the development stage, and plans may include the integration of high-altitude, laser and space-based missile defenses.

“We're still in the initial developmental testing stage,” Wheeler said. “They’ve got a long ways to go so that in actual combat conditions it can truly work. This is primarily for medium-range ballistic missiles from countries like North Korea and Iran.”

3. DDG-51 Guided Missile Destroyer
Total program cost: $87.3 billion

The DDG-51 class of guided missile destroyers is the first built by the Navy to use the Aegis weapons system and the SPY-1D radar system. The ship is capable of anti-air, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare.

“It’s been in production since the 1980s, and the hulls are becoming ever more expensive even in terms of constant dollars,” Wheeler said. “The new Flight III DDG-51s are projected to cost $2.4 billion per ship by the Congressional Budget Office.”

4. Pratt & Whitney F135
Total program cost: $63.8 billion

The F135 is a turbofan engine used on the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II single-engine fighter. It has a conventional thrust variant and a short take off and vertical landing (STOVL) variant.

“This is a high thrust fighter engine that won't be useable in other fighter aircraft,” Wheeler said. “The Marine Corps’ version of the F-35 required the engine to have certain size and performance characteristics, which are not good for high-altitude, high-speed aircraft.”


5. Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey
Total program cost: $53.5 billion

The V-22 Osprey is an aircraft with vertical takeoff and landing capability, as well as short takeoff and landing capability. In other words, it takes off like a helicopter and flies like an airplane.

The Osprey is used by both the Air Force and the Marines. It’s been deployed in Afghanistan, Libya and Iraq.


See the full list: 10 Most Expensive Military Programs


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