How Much Does An F-35 Jet Cost?

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II represents one of the most technologically advanced fighter jets on the planet, leveraging stealth, sensor fusion, and network-enabled operations to revolutionize air combat. However, this unmatched performance comes at an equally unprecedented price, making the F-35 program the most expensive weapons system ever developed by the United States.

This guide will go over the complete procurement costs, operating expenses, sustainment fees, and unit lifecycle costs across the F-35A, F-35B, and F-35C variants stretching into the 2070s.

How Much Does An F-35 Jet Cost?

The cost of an F-35 jet starts around $100+ million per unit flyaway up to over $1.7 trillion total projected program price tag, depending on geopolitical factors.

The F-35 jet does not come cheaply, with the current total unit procurement cost for an F-35A estimated at approximately $89.2 million by the most recent Pentagon Selected Acquisition Reports. Here’s the specific rundown of average unit costs by variant:

• F-35A CTOL: $89.2 million
• F-35B STOVL: $115.5 million
• F-35C CV: $107.7 million

The conventional F-35A is the least expensive model mainly thanks to its traditional takeoff and landing capabilities compared to the complex propulsion systems on the V/STOL F-35B and carrier-based F-35C. But these airframe-only unit prices fail to account for crucial factors like engines, electronics, hardware, and armaments which make up over 50% of a fighter’s costs.

And due to the highly advanced nature of the F-35, these additional elements significantly raise the total price per aircraft. The baseline cost also excludes ancillary program expenses related to operations, in-service upgrades, and more which balloon the total lifecycle budget.

According to Air & Space Forces Magazine, a recent $30 billion deal for F-35s sets the unit cost at around $75 million per aircraft, not including the engine. With the engine, the cost is estimated to be below $80 million per jet. Specifically, the F-35A model ranges from $70.2 million to $69.9 million, the F-35B from $80.9 million to $78.3 million, and the F-35C from $90 million to $89.3 million.

Defense News reports that the total cost of the F-35 program is expected to exceed $2 trillion over its entire lifespan, which has been extended to 2088. This includes nearly $1.6 trillion in sustainment costs and about $442 billion in acquisition costs, covering development and procurement of the Lockheed Martin-made jets.

Responsible Statecraft confirms the $2 trillion lifetime cost estimate, noting a significant increase from a 2018 estimate of $1.7 trillion. The article highlights that most of the increase comes from projected sustainment costs, which rose by 44% to $1.58 trillion over the program’s lifetime.

It’s important to note that these figures represent more than just the purchase price of individual jets. Fortune reports that the F-35 program has an annual budget of about $12 billion, reflecting the ongoing costs of development, production, and maintenance. The article also mentions that some countries have made significant purchases, such as Germany buying nearly 40 jets for a reported $8 billion.

The F-35 Lightning II

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, also known as the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), is a fifth-generation multirole stealth fighter jet designed to conduct air superiority, close air support, and long-range strike missions. Replacing numerous aging platforms, the F-35 aims to revolutionize air combat through sensor fusion, network-enabled operations, and advanced stealth capabilities.

Lockheed Martin serves as the primary contractor for the F-35 program, with partners including Northrop Grumman, Pratt & Whitney, and BAE Systems. The F-35 comes in three main variants:

F-35A – Conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant designed for the U.S. Air Force and international allies

F-35B – Short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) model for the U.S. Marine Corps and Royal Navy to operate from small carriers

F-35C – Carrier-based (CV) version equipped with foldable wings and reinforced landing gear for navy carrier operations

While touted as an affordable multirole fighter, the F-35 has faced intense scrutiny over missed deadlines and cost overruns throughout its 20-year development.

Cost Growth Since 2007

Far from static, the expected unit cost of an F-35 has fluctuated wildly over the past 15+ years of the program as delays, overruns, and technical shortfalls led to massive price increases until recent budget pressures forced cost-reduction efforts. Here’s how the average program procurement unit cost has escalated since initial estimates in the 2000s:

• 2001: $69 million projected unit cost
• 2007: $69 million estimated unit cost
• 2010: $112 million estimated unit cost (+62% increase vs. 2007)
• 2012: $139 million estimated unit cost (+24% increase vs. 2010)
• 2014: $148 million estimated unit cost (+7% increase vs. 2012)
• 2019: $89 million estimated unit cost (-40% decrease vs. 2014 due to negotiations)

Between 2001 and 2012, the F-35’s unit price essentially doubled as myriad unanticipated development hurdles including repeated flight test failures, software integration problems, and component redesigns forced delays and cost growth. Additional oversight, transparency mandates, and improved manufacturing processes subsequently helped reduce expenses back closer to original targets.

You might also like our articles about the cost of an F-22, F-11, or F-18.

Factors That Influence the Costs

What makes the F-35 so expensive compared to past fighter programs? Here are some of the major contributing factors:

Stealth Technology – Radar-absorbent structural coatings, heat-dispersing skin materials, precision trailing edge shaping, and other low-observability design elements add enormous R&D and manufacturing costs compared to conventional planes.

Vertical Lift System – The F-35B’s complex lift fan, swiveling rear nozzle, stealth-compatible aerodynamics and flight control logic introduce additional engineering demands and expenses relative to fixed-wing models.

Sensor Fusion & Advanced Avionics – Cutting-edge radar systems, electro-optical targeting, fly-by-wire controls, cockpit interfaces, and core computing power add integration complexity and parts cost.

Software Development – Writing over 8 million lines of code for the sophisticated ALIS integrated operating system requires ongoing investments measured in hundreds of millions across the program lifespan.

Manufacturing Learning Curve – As an all-new airframe, mastering series production while ensuring consistent quality and boosting labor efficiency takes years, keeping per-unit prices high during the slow ramp-up phase of manufacturing.

Mission Reconfigurability – The need to integrate vast hardware and software options to fulfill multiple roles while preserving commonality introduces added engineering costs.

Congressional & DoD Scrutiny – High-visibility program scrutiny forces additional testing regimes, documentation, reporting, and transparency steps that raise program management overhead.

Operating & Maintenance Costs

In addition to aircraft procurement, operating and supporting the F-35 fleet over its lifetime makes up a significant portion of expenses. These include:

• Flight Operations – Fuel, flight crew, landing fees. F-35 fuel burn rate is approximately 5,600 lb/hour.
• Unit-Level Maintenance – Routine servicing, inspections, and repairs. Engine maintenance a major cost factor.
• Sustaining Support – Supply chain management, spares inventory, tech publication updates.
• System Upgrades – Periodic hardware/software modernization to improve capability.

According to the F-35 Joint Program Office, the current estimated cost per flight hour (CPFH) averaged across all three F-35 variants stands at approximately $36,000. However, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) projects CPFH could exceed $50,000 by 2036 as the fleet matures.

Which Countries Are Buying the F-35 Fighter Jet?

In addition to the U.S., over a dozen international allies have committed to the F-35 program through Foreign Military Sales (FMS) agreements with varying quantity and variant orders:

• United Kingdom – 138 F-35Bs for carrier and land operations
• Japan – 147 F-35As slated to replace aging F-4s
• Australia – 72 F-35As as part of a regional military modernization effort
• Italy – 90 F-35As to complement their fleet of American-designed fighters
• Norway – 52 F-35As to enhance NATO capabilities
• Netherlands – 46 F-35As filling a gap in fighter capacity
• Turkey – 30 F-35As on order but program participation currently blocked
• Israel – 50 customized F-35Is tailored to Israeli specifications
• South Korea – 40 F-35As to counter regional threats

Widespread F-35 adoption enhances NATO interoperability and strengthens deterrence capabilities globally. However, it also complicates long-term sustainment efforts.

F-35 vs Other Fighter Jets

The F-35 stands apart as one of the most expensive operational fighter aircraft in current production:

F-22 Raptor – America’s previous most expensive fighter with a $150 million+ unit cost prior to ending production in 2011 after just 195 aircraft. The F-22 helped develop certain stealth technologies later evolved in the F-35.

Eurofighter Typhoon – A modern 4th-generation twin-engine multirole fighter fielded by European allies. At approximately $100 million per plane, it costs marginally less than an F-35 but lacks the F-35’s low-observability advances.

Dassault Rafale – France’s premier fourth-generation omni role fighter. Single-seat variants like the carrier-focused Rafale M cost approximately $85 million per aircraft, analogous to the naval F-35C but with lower stealth capabilities.

Sukhoi Su-57 – Russia’s upcoming fifth-generation stealth air superiority fighter expected to cost in the range of $40-65 million per unit for domestic production. While a top competitor to the F-35 in some metrics, it uses less mature avionics.

Congressional Concerns Over F-35 Spending

Given its astronomical costs and timelines, the F-35 program has faced intense scrutiny on Capitol Hill including hearings before the House Armed Services Committee (HASC).

Recurring points of congressional criticism and attempts to control spending have included:

• Reducing F-35 procurement numbers to control budgets
• Investigating delays, cost overruns, and technical failures
• Mandating transparency into contract pricing and negotiations
• Capping expenditures on future upgrades and modernization
• Threats to curtail funding amidst performance shortfalls

Despite bipartisan frustration around costs, most in Congress remain hesitant to cut one of the military’s most strategically important programs. The F-35 continues to enjoy robust funding support even amid missed benchmarks.

Advancing F-35 Capabilities

While the bulk of F-35 expenditures to date relate to development and production, future operating costs will shift to improving capability:

• Block 4 Upgrades – The next round of hardware and software enhancements to enable new weapons, sensors, and systems post-2025. May add $10 million+ to each jet.
• Tech Refreshes – Planned hardware updates for avionics and core components to avoid obsolescence as technology advances. Could require extensive aircraft rework.
• Sustainment Costs – Rising maintenance needs of an aging fleet will considerably boost lifetime sustainment budgets.
• New Missions – Potential future capabilities like laser weapons, drone control, or advanced communications will drive new funding needs.

Even as production starts winding down, capability demands and fleet maintenance will keep budgets high. The GAO estimates over $1 trillion in F-35 operating costs through 2070.

Final Words

The F-35 undeniably represents a massive investment, with total program costs projected to exceed $1.7 trillion. Supporters argue its fifth-generation capabilities provide technological superiority that can’t be matched at any price. Yet detractors question whether its evolving mission justifies the immense budgets and delays. Regardless, the F-35 will define air combat capabilities for decades to come at a steep cost.

Answers to Common Questions

How much does it cost to run the F-35?

The F-35 costs between $36,000 to $56,000 per flight hour (CPFH) according to Pentagon estimates. This accounts for fuel, maintenance, parts replacement, and other operating costs averaged across all three variants.

How much fuel does an F-35 hold?

The F-35’s internal fuel capacity ranges between 18,250 lb (8,278 kg) to 19,750 lb (8,960 kg) depending on the variant. This provides a combat radius of approximately 590 to 900 nmi on internal fuel alone. External drop tanks can significantly extend range at the expense of stealth.

What are the main problems with the F-35?

Some still-being-addressed issues for the F-35 include resolving deficiencies in reliability, maintainability, and availability; modernizing critical logistics IT systems; correcting design problems as testing reveals new flaws; improving simulation capabilities for training; and addressing wavering international participation.