The Biggest, Most Expensive Military Planes Ever Produced

11. Joint STARS E-8C

Joined the Service in 1988 Not retired: N/A Price: *$244.4 million The E-8 Joint STARS is an aircraft designed for command and control, ground surveillance, and battle management. The acronym "STARS" stands for Surveillance Target Attack Radar System. The USAF uses the E-8 to monitor ground vehicles and aircraft, capturing images and relaying them to commanders.

Twitter.com/11111Lemon / E-8C Joint STARS The E-8C is an upgraded model developed by Northrop Grumman, featuring two ARC-190 HF radios, twelve ARC-164 UHF radios with HAVE QUICK technology, an AN/APY-7 radar, and three VHF radios. It can reach a service ceiling of 42,000 feet and cruise at 450 mph.