The Hourly Cost Of Operating An F-35 Compared To An F-22 In 2026

While Lockheed Martin likes to advertise that its F-35 family aircraft have surprisingly low flyaway costs (base purchase price), flyaway costs are only one part of the cost of maintaining a fighter jet capability. The F-35A can have a lower flyaway cost than fighter jets like the F-15EX and Rafale, but its operating costs tend to be higher, and it requires extensive specialized support infrastructure.