B-2: a small fleet and different cost measures

The initial acquisition plan for the B-2 Spirit bomber called for 132 aircraft, but the fleet was cut to 21. The cost of one aircraft depends on whether procurement alone or development and other program expenses are included. The U.S. Air Force fact sheet lists approximately $1.157 billion per unit in constant fiscal-1998 dollars. This is not a current price or the same as an average for the entire program. A “more expensive than gold per kilogram” comparison is unreliable without a dated gold price and a consistent cost measure.