Lockheed Martin, the Air Force and Lockheed Martin collaborated to produce F-22. The contract's value is approximately $11 million. The team is developing the design, production tools and building nine flight-worthy aircraft. Two ground-test aircraft are also being built. The last F-22 EMD aircraft was delivered to the Air Force in June 2002.
Air Force
The cost of an Air Force F-22 is about $110 million per aircraft. This does not include R&D needed to create the aircraft. It also requires a lot of ground support equipment. Air Force considers a F-22 2-seat variant. However, these aircraft are likely to cost at least $150M per aircraft.
Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin F-22 military jet can be purchased for as high as $71.6 billion. The United States Air Force uses this aircraft. The estimated total cost is around $71.6 million, with a planned 442-strong fleet.
Price
An F-22's cost can seem outrageous, but it's not so expensive as you might think. The F-22 is actually a very affordable aircraft at just over $200million. But what about F-35A? The Raptor is just slightly more expensive at $232.5 Million per aircraft.
Contract value
The Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin a contract to develop the F-22 Raptor in August 1991. Since then, the contract has risen to around $11 Billion. The contract covers all aspects of aircraft design and production, including the delivery of nine flightworthy aircraft as well two ground-test aircraft. In June 2002, the Air Force received the last of these aircraft.
Maintenance costs
The F-22's cost is a key factor in aircraft purchase decisions. The F-35 cost $170 million to build initially, but this has been reduced to $80 millions. Although it will be more expensive to operate, the F-22 still represents a great value for money.
Export studies
Congress requires the United States Air Force (USAF) to study exportability and costs of an export-configured F-22. The study was mandated by the 2009 Appropriations bill. However, the Air Force demanded that it be completed in a longer time. It has previously conducted similar studies on the Raptor, which is currently being manufactured in the United States. Lockheed Martin completed an internal export feasibility study in March 2009.
Future plans
The F-22 stealth fighter is capable of supersonic flight. It has more thrust than any existing fighter's engine, and its aerodynamic designs allow it to cruise at supersonic speed without afterburner. This ability greatly expands the aircraft's operational envelope. The F-22 features a low drag coefficient, as well as an advanced flight control system called thrust-vectoring. The advanced design has been subject to extensive testing.