Cost Effectiveness Comparison: B-2 versus the Cruise Missile

摘要

The purpose of this essay is twofold: first, provide a single source,unclassified document on the issues surrounding the Stealth Bomber; second, provide an unbiased comparison of the cost effectiveness of the Stealth Bomber and the Cruise missile. This paper deals with the issues and controversy that surrounds the procurement of the Stealth Bomber. These issues include the possible use of cruise missiles and a new cruise missile carrier aircraft as an alternative to the Stealth Bomber. Most of the controversy over the Stealth Bomber is directly linked to a sticker price of approximately $540 million per aircraft. This price tag includes all the costs associated with research and development (RD) to include stealth technology. In the author' opinion, this price tag is not a valid measure for two reasons. One, much of the aircraft's research and development (stealth technology) is a sunk cost and will apply to other projects.