F-22 Raptor
ActiveFighter Aircraft · Air Force · Lockheed Martin
Fifth-generation stealth air superiority fighter. Production ended in 2011.
Total Cost
$67.3B
Unit Cost
$0.3B per unit
Cost Overrun
+89%
Development
19 years
Planned Units
195
Delivered
195
Start Year
1986
IOC Year
2005
Delivery Progress100% (195 / 195)
Key Details
Originally planned 750 aircraft, cut to 195. Never used in air-to-air combat. Cost per flight hour: ~$68,000.
💸 Taxpayer Alert: 89% Over Budget
The F-22 Raptor program has exceeded its original budget by 89%. At $67.3B, this represents billions in cost growth that could have funded schools, healthcare, or infrastructure. This is a pattern across Pentagon weapons programs — the military-industrial complex has little incentive to control costs.
Why Does This Keep Happening? →What Else Could $67.3B Buy?
🏫 4,487 new public schools
🏥 135 community hospitals
🎓 1,922,857 four-year college scholarships
🌉 224 bridge replacements