Boeing Built Stealth Aircraft Using Spare Parts for Under $67M

Boeing developed the YF-118G Bird of Prey, a stealth aircraft built using parts from other airplanes and costing around $67 million. This was entirely funded by Boeing itself, rather than the Pentagon, in an effort to prove that advanced stealth technology could be designed and built at a lower cost.

The project began in 1992 and was completed in 1999, with the first flight taking place in 1996. The Bird of Prey utilized existing components, such as the landing gear from Beech King Air aircraft, an ejection seat from a Harrier, and a single Pratt & Whitney JT15D-5C turbofan engine.

Designed by McDonnell Douglas' Phantom Works and built by Boeing, this unique aircraft served as a technology demonstrator to test stealth capabilities at a low cost. The Bird of Prey's primary purpose was not to serve as an operational fighter but rather to pioneer rapid manufacturing techniques for future stealth aircraft.