Brief Summary
The US retains stealth bombers like the B-2 due to the unsustainable cost of using ballistic missiles for widespread target destruction. While missiles offer immediate response capabilities, their high cost, exemplified by the $60 million Trident 2, makes them impractical for numerous targets. Stealth bombers, like the B-2, can deliver GPS-guided JDAMs at a fraction of the cost, making them significantly more cost-effective for extensive operations.
- Ballistic missiles are expensive and single use.
- Stealth bombers are more cost effective for destroying multiple targets.
- GPS guided bombs are much cheaper than ballistic missiles.
The Cost-Effectiveness of Stealth Bombers
The US continues to produce bombers like the B-2 due to the financial unsustainability of using ballistic missiles for all necessary operations. While missiles provide an immediate response capability, their cost is prohibitive. A single Trident 2 ballistic missile costs upwards of $60 million, and this investment is lost upon launch.
Bombers vs. Ballistic Missiles: A Cost Comparison
In contrast to the high cost of ballistic missiles, a GPS-guided JDAM costs approximately $25,000. A B-2 bomber can deploy 80 of these JDAMs and return to base for more, making it a reusable asset. For example, destroying 50 targets with ballistic missiles would cost $3 billion, whereas a B-2 bomber could deliver 100 precision JDAMs for about $2.8 million, including flight costs. This makes bombers nearly 2,000 times more cost-effective than using ballistic missiles for a wide array of targets.
