War Machines of Staggering Costs: Unveiling the Priciest Military Vehicles Ever Built

4. Virginia-class submarine

Joined the Service in 2004 Producing company: Newport News Shipbuilding, General Dynamics Electric Boat, and Huntington Ingalls Industries Price: *$2.5 billion General Dynamics and Huntington Ingalls were awarded a contract by the US Navy to develop these incredibly fast SNN submarines. The newest undersea approach is the Virginia submarine. It's not just muscle; in terms of intelligence collecting, it's also highly advanced and technologically advanced. The Los Angeles class submarines, several of which were retired, are being replaced by the Virginia.

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Paul J. Martin/Shutterstock, Virginia Class Submarine Early technological obstacles were overcome, though, and the Virginia-class submarines eventually acquired some rather amazing armament. They were given high-energy laser weapons systems, updated rescue gear, enhanced sonar systems, photonic masts, and a nine-man lock-out chamber. The ship control system is now fly-by-wire with optical fiber. The 3512B V-12 marine diesel engine powers the Virginia-class submarine. The cost to build a single Virginia submarine is $2.8 billion. Six of the sixty-six new Virginia subs that are planned are now on order. Since 2004, seventeen have been finished. At the very least, they will continue to operate until 2060, and in certain cases, even until 2070.