14 of the Most Expensive Navy Aircraft Ever Produced

"Established in 1775, less than one year before the Declaration of Independence was signed, the U.S. Navy is one of the oldest military branches in the United States. It is also one of the largest. As of June 2025, there were approximately 332,700 active duty troops serving in the Navy, more than any other branch, with the sole exception of the Army."

"With bases spanning four continents and ships deployed around the world, the U.S. Navy has a sweeping global footprint that is necessitated by its responsibilities. These include sustaining land-based combat operations by delivering food, equipment, fuel, and firepower, as well as rapidly responding to international crises. Even in peacetime, the U.S. Navy serves as a guarantor of global trade and commerce - 90% of which is transported by ship."

"The Navy is primarily a maritime force, with hundreds of surface vessels and submarines at its disposal. And even though the Air Force is the U.S. military branch that specializes in air power and aerial combat, the Navy also has a substantial fleet of aircraft under its command. From communications and transport aircraft to logistical support planes and multi-role fighter jets, the Navy's success is often contingent on its pilots and aerial fleet."

Established in 1775, the U.S. Navy is one of the oldest and largest U.S. military branches, with about 332,700 active duty sailors as of June 2025. Including the Marine Corps, the Department of the Navy oversees more than half a million active duty personnel. The Navy maintains bases across four continents and deploys ships globally to sustain land operations, deliver supplies, and respond rapidly to crises. The Navy supports global trade by protecting sea lines of commerce, through which 90% of trade moves. The force operates hundreds of surface ships and submarines and fields around 3,800 aircraft with significant per-aircraft costs. The Navy's fiscal 2025 budget exceeds $363 billion.

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