Have you ever traveled in an aircraft with a hospital onboard?
Most of us consider first-class to be a luxury. But compared to the features of the world’s most expensive aircrafts, a little extra legroom doesn’t count for much.
Keep reading to learn what makes these aircraft so special.
Most Expensive Aircraft Carrier Jet
With a price tag of $122.8 million, the F-35C is the most advanced carrier-ready jet in the arsenal of the US military. With both air-to-surface and air-to-air weaponry, it’s a force to reckon with. It operates from a Navy aircraft carrier and can travel twice the speed of sound.
Biggest Private Aircraft
The world’s biggest private jet is the Airbus A380 Superjumbo Jet. The sticker price is $500 million USD. Its owner, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal al-Saud, has it custom-fitted with lots of extras. Among them are a garage, a horse-and-camel stable, and even a Turkish bath.
Most Famous Military Aircraft
While it may not be the most lethal military aircraft, Air Force One is no slouch among expensive aircrafts. At a cost of $3.9 billion, the US President’s personal plane is famously resilient. That’s because of its unusual features like a hospital and operating room.
Most Expensive Military Helicopter Aircraft
The US Marine Corp’s King Stallion is the most expensive military helicopter ever made at $131 million. It’s capable of transporting a Humvee and traveling at up to 170 knots. This chopper is still in development and sure to make a splash when it debuts.
Most Expensive Stealth Bomber
The B-2 Spirit is the most expensive stealth aircraft ever at $737 million. This bomber is practically a ghost, as it’s nearly impossible to detect. Its capabilities include deep-territory nuclear attacks.
Most Innovative Aircraft
NASA’s Space Shuttle was the first reusable spaceplane. The total program cost was of $211 billion. The shuttle can enter space and orbit the Earth, so it’s no wonder that it wasn’t cheap to develop.
Most Expensive Aircrafts for Commercial Use
The above are all impressive aircrafts, but they’re not exactly easy to hitch a ride on. If you’re looking for the world’s most expensive aircraft that’s open to public transport, that honor goes to the Airbus A380. Coming in a $445.6 million, it’s also the largest passenger plane in the world.
Most Expensive Military Jet
The bragging rights for most expensive military jet belong to the F-22 Raptor. The cost? $152 million. In addition to the highest price, the jet also boasts a top speed of 1500 mph and unparalleled maneuverability.
The Cost of Innovation
The figures above are astounding. But then, nobody said innovation is cheap.
From hang gliders to hot air balloons to spaceflight, the ability for humans to take flight is among our greatest achievements. These expensive aircrafts represent the height of ambition and technological progress. It’s hard to say what such efforts are worth—but it’s easy to see that they’re worth a lot.
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