Citing intelligence community reports, Joe Biden said the three things shot down during the last week or so were “most likely balloons.” So how much did it cost to destroy these objects that may only be $12-180 each? As a case study, I considered the Pentagon’s operation over Lake Huron on February 12. According to my analysis of government documents, flight tracking data, and media reports, I estimate that it cost $1,953,127 to shoot down what was “most likely” a balloon.
AIM-9X, 2 missiles fired, $442,798 per unit, $885,597 total cost.
There are two rows for the F-16 showing these data:
F-16, 7 flight hours, $26,927 per flight hour, $188,489 total cost.
KC-135, 7 flight hours, $27,801 per hour, $194,607 total.
E-3, 7.5 hours, $66,126 per hour, $495,945 total.
All told, $1,953,127 in total.
Data via DOD Comptroller, Government Accountability Office, flight trackers, media reports.
Plus the search operation.