Revealed: 15 Most Expensive Future Weapons of the United States Military 

In recent years, the United States has devoted significant resources to defense, exceedingly more than three-quarters of a trillion dollars annually. On Thursday (Dec 14, 2023), the US Congress approved a staggering defense budget of $886 billion for 2024. 

It’s essential to keep in mind that the following weapons are the ones that the US Military is currently focusing on investing in for research, development, testing, and evaluation. These weapons are still being developed and won’t be implemented in the upcoming financial year. The Department of Defense’s budget proposal and the program’s acquisition cost have provided specific allocations for each weapon within the military. 

The most expensive weapon system under development currently is the Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) system, which will be utilized for space-based missile warning. This new system is set to replace the outdated missile tracking system that has been in use since the mid-1990s.

1. OPIR Space-Based Missile Warning Systems
    > R&D, testing, and evaluation budget, FY 2024: $4.9 billion
   > Program spending, FY2022-FY2024: $12.2 billion
   > Service branches: Space Force
   > Primary contractor(s): Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems

2. Satellite Communications (SATCOM) Projects
    > R&D, testing, and evaluation budget, FY 2024: $4.1 billion
   > Program spending, FY2022-FY2024: $11.0 billion
   > Service branches: Space Force
   > Primary contractor(s): The Boeing Company

3. LGM-35A Sentinel
    > R&D, testing, and evaluation budget, FY 2024: $3.7 billion
   > Program spending, FY2022-FY2024: $10.4 billion
   > Service branches: Air Force
   > Primary contractor(s): Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems, Boeing Defense

4. Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD)
    > R&D, testing, and evaluation budget, FY 2024: $3.1 billion
   > Program spending, FY2022-FY2024: $7.3 billion
   > Service branches: Joint Service
   > Primary contractor(s): Raytheon Missiles & Defense

5. Cyberspace Activities
    > R&D, testing, and evaluation budget, FY 2024: $3.0 billion
   > Program spending, FY2022-FY2024: $10.7 billion
   > Service branches: Joint Service
   > Primary contractor(s): Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, L3Harris

6. B-21 Raider
    > R&D, testing, and evaluation budget, FY 2024: $3.0 billion
   > Program spending, FY2022-FY2024: $13.0 billion
   > Service branches: Air Force
   > Primary contractor(s): Oshkosh Defense, LLC, AM General, LLC

7. Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV)
    > R&D, testing, and evaluation budget, FY 2024: $996.7 million
   > Program spending, FY2022-FY2024: $1.7 billion
   > Service branches: Army
   > Primary contractor(s): To be determined

8. Long Range Stand-Off Weapon (LRSO)
    > R&D, testing, and evaluation budget, FY 2024: $911.4 million
   > Program spending, FY2022-FY2024: $2.5 billion
   > Service branches: Air Force
   > Primary contractor(s): Raytheon

9. E-7A Airborne Warning and Control System Replacement
    > R&D, testing, and evaluation budget, FY 2024: $681.0 million
   > Program spending, FY2022-FY2024: $1.1 billion
   > Service branches: Air Force
   > Primary contractor(s): Boeing

10. VC-25B Presidential Aircraft Recapitalization
     > R&D, testing, and evaluation budget, FY 2024: $490.7 million
    > Program spending, FY2022-FY2024: $1.0 billion
    > Service branches: Air Force
    > Primary contractor(s): Boeing

11. Trident II Ballistic Missile Modifications
     > R&D, testing, and evaluation budget, FY 2024: $321.6 million
    > Program spending, FY2022-FY2024: $5.2 billion
    > Service branches: Navy
    > Primary contractor(s): Lockheed Martin

12. Medium and Large Unmanned Surface Vessels
     > R&D, testing, and evaluation budget, FY 2024: $237.9 million
    > Program spending, FY2022-FY2024: $756.6 million
    > Service branches: Navy
    > Primary contractor(s): To be determined

13. CVN 78 Gerald R. Ford Class Nuclear Aircraft Carrier
     > R&D, testing, and evaluation budget, FY 2024: $118.2 million
    > Program spending, FY2022-FY2024: $9.3 billion
    > Service branches: Navy
    > Primary contractor(s): Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control

14. T-7A Advanced Pilot Training
     > R&D, testing, and evaluation budget, FY 2024: $77.3 million
    > Program spending, FY2022-FY2024: $303.7 million
    > Service branches: Air Force
    > Primary contractor(s): Boeing

15. VH-92A Presidential Helicopter
     > R&D, testing, and evaluation budget, FY 2024: $35.4 million
    > Program spending, FY2022-FY2024: $277.5 million
    > Service branches: Navy / Marine Corps
    > Primary contractor(s): Sikorsky Aircraft

Have you read?
EXCLUSIVE: The Top 10 F1 drivers of 2023.
Report: Jordan Citizenship by Investment Programme, 2023.
Report: Malta Citizenship by Investment Programme, 2023.
Report: Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment Programme, 2023.
Report: St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Programme, 2023.
Report: Türkiye Citizenship by Investment Programme, 2023.