From $139M Flyaway to $370M Program Price: the Full Financial Timeline of the F-22
The steady contraction of fleet targets drove an inverse explosion in individual air superiority procurement costs. The table below traces how shifting Pentagon priorities reduced inventory while inflating unit figures:
| Phase / Decision Point | Planned Fleet Size | Estimated Flyaway Cost | Amortized Program Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| ATF Program Inception (1986, 1991) | 750 airframes | $35M, $45M (projected) | ~$85M, $100M |
| Post-Cold War Review (1997) | 339 airframes | $80M, $95M | ~$180M, $210M |
| Gates Defense Cuts (2009) | 187 operational airframes | $139M, $150M | $369.5M |
| Air Force Restart Study (2017) | +194 restart airframes | $206M, $216M | ~$330M (combined) |
Tags:
