After telling you about the five fastest aircraft in the world , in this article we discuss the top 5 most expensive military aircraft in the world. The costs are obviously astronomical.

But it's important to remember these technologically advanced weapons are capable of wreaking havoc and destroying almost anything, anywhere on Earth.

Top 5 - VH-71 Kestrel

The VH-71 Kestrel was originally intended to replace the US President's helicopter fleet. This was before President Barack Obama was elected. When he took office at the White House, he ordered production to be halted and allocated the funds intended for the construction of the Kestrel to the maintenance of his old fleet of helicopters.

The new president felt he was willing to forego the astronomical cost of this new aircraft to help reduce the amount of White House spending.

Cost: $241 million

Top 4 - P-8A Poseidon

The P-8A Poseidon is a modified version of the Boeing 747, but with the difference that it has been equipped to meet the intentions of the United States Navy. The aircraft is a commercial airliner that has been transformed into a military aircraft fully equipped with missiles, torpedoes and depth charges.

The mission of this transformation is to "rain down death from above" during encounters with enemy ships and submarines. The P-8A Poseidon gives the US military the edge when involved in conflict at sea.

Cost: $290 million

Top 3 - C17A Globemaster III

The C17A Globemaster III is a military transport aircraft, but it was designed for extraordinary circumstances. It has the ability to transport equipment, soldiers and military vehicles to any location in the world.

The Globemaster III can carry up to 102 fully loaded soldiers in times of conflict. Also, it can drop soldiers, tanks, and other vehicles to locations that are inside enemy lines.

This capability gives the US military a distinct advantage over its adversaries in a conflict that involves field operations.

Cost: $328 million

Top 2 - F-22 Raptor

In the opinion of many military leaders and pilots, the F-22 Raptor is considered the best fighter in the world. The aircraft was designed and manufactured in response to MIG Fulcrum and SU Flanker from Russia. Plans for the F-22 Raptor were first conceived in the 1980s.

The US military was in a race to produce a combat aircraft capable of taking on the best planes Russia could make. Now that the threat from Russia has been reduced, production of the Raptor has been discontinued. Fewer than 200 Raptors were delivered to the US Army.

Cost: $350 million

Top 1 - B-2 Spirit

The B-2 Spirit is a military aircraft that looks more like an alien spaceship than a warplane. But it is the ultimate stealth bomber that is currently being used by the military.

The Spirit is invisible to electromagnetic, infrared, visual and radar signals. With this capability, the B-2 Spirit can easily fly into enemy territory undetected, allowing the crew to drop bombs into enemy territory.

This device was originally designed to carry nuclear explosives and it has the ability to carry a wide range of bombs.

The total cost of the program that brought the aircraft to life is estimated at $45 billion. The US government placed an order for 21 of these devices, but then stopped production due to the enormous cost of building them.

Cost: $737 million