The Biggest, Most Expensive Military Planes Ever Produced

13. U-2S

Joined the Service in 1955 Not retired: N/A Expense: *$9.1 million Lockheed's U-2 series was dubbed "The Dragon Lady." The CIA and USAF have both utilised this high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft. It offers intelligence collection day or night and in all weather conditions. The TR-1A and U-2R were both renamed as U-2S aircraft.General Electric and Lockheed collaborated to modernise the F118 engine.

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U-2S On Twitter.com / @L_ThinkTank The sensors on the U-2S are also better. There is now a GPS receiver included. Thirty-one U2 aircraft have been upgraded to U-2S thus far. The term "tactical reconnaissance" is represented by the initials "TR." The U-2S was derived from the TR-1A, which made its maiden flight in 1981. Because it has a "superpod" under each of its wings, the TR-1A is easily identifiable.

14. Lancer B-1B

Joined the Service in 1984 1988 saw retirement Expense: *$283.1 million The B-1 was enhanced by the B-1B Lancer. During the Carter administration, the B-1B Lancer was first mentioned as a potential aircraft, but Carter had not decided whether to enter into a contract with Boeing and have the B-1 modernised. In order to bridge the gap between the development of the highly sophisticated ATB and the B-1, the Reagan administration chose to proceed with the development of the B-1B.

B-1B Lancer via Pinterest / @tjoleary3 After completion in 1983, the B-1B began flight testing in March of the same year. The B-1B rolled off the assembly line on September 4, 1984. Production of the B-1B ended on May 2, 1988.