is it possible to buy a F-15 or F-16?

Question

this might be a stupid question but can like a rich man buy a F-16 with no arsenal.

Answer 1

A mate sent me a link to this website. Do you want to buy a used MiG? Check it out. Would YOU buy a 37 year old MiG 21 which hasn't flown in 4 years? Only USD20,000
"The last flight in May 2003, since then the airplane has been hangared at airport and partially preserved."..

I bet they throw in a set of steak knives too...

No F-15's or F-16's though, sorry....

Answer 2

As a private citizen, it would be virtually impossible. Also, as a private citizen, the purchase and operational costs would be prohibitive. With that goes all the paperwork: End-User-Certificate, Letter of Authorization from the FAA to fly it, since the FAA doesn't recognize DoD certifications.

HOWEVER, there are aircraft such as the T-38 Talon and others that are available for purchase in unarmed (and unarmable) status.

Larry Ellison (CEO of Oracle) owns a number of fighter-jets... rumor includes an un-armed F/A-18.

I bought a US Navy Captains Gig, LCP, and old periscope fairing thru the Defense Reutilization folks back in 1993ish... makes a GREAT 15 ft tall lawn ornament.

Answer 3

Short answer - Not in a flyable state.
Long answer - Yes a decommissioned dismantled jet is possible to buy. But the FLCS and other important systems will be removed. In the long run it is probably cheaper to build your own like that guy in Australia. I know of one guy who bought an old f 15 fuselage to turn into a simulator. And at my college we have an engine from a f 14 and an f 16

Answer 4

To purchase one from the contracted vendor, unless your a foreign goverment, and a strong ally to the US, such as Isreal, and the aircraft is currently in active role and deemed that you will not use it to against another ally or the USA, NO. Once the aircraft type is decommissioned, civialians can purchase and operate he aircraft. It would have to be disarmed, with no opertioanal weapons systems.(some exceptions) Can not be operated above Mach 1, (see FAR's for exceptions), can not be operated for hire, and would have to be operated under a "Restricted Catergory". Its not uncommon to see F-4 Phantoms in private hands, along with Mig's, F-5, F-86, L-39, A-4 Skyraiders, T-38's.

Answer 5

It might be possible to get a demilitarized aircraft, but it would cost millions of dollars, and they require huge maintenance. So even if you could find one and get authorization to buy it very few people could afford it. My Dad knows a guy with a P-51 Mustang, and he barely flies it because it is so expensive. A relatively modern jet would probably cost ten times as much to maintain and fly.

Answer 6

Yes it is possible. I have asked Boeing this question.
However, the senate or some authority discuss whether or not you're suitable for an F-15/16.
Good luck

Answer 7

They are weapons, so you need an 'end user certificate' to buy them and in the case of stuff like this you'd also need political agreement from the US government. So you'd need not only to be a foreign government, but also a friendly foreign government that the US felt like selling this sort of gear to.

Even a friendly foreign government wouldn't be able to buy them if a more friendly foreign government would be disadvantaged by it. All the big manufacturing companies play this sort of game with arms exports.

Answer 8

I dont know how it stands in america but over in britain you can buy one from the agency that sell stuff the Ministry of Defence do not want. Over here they sell harriers and jaguars (with engine removed and some controls removed). So all you could do is use it as a display piece in your garden

Answer 9

US Fighters can't be bought by private persons within the US. They can only be bought from foreign air forces, and generally only obsolete ones.

Answer 10

no, the government won't let you
you don't see bill gates riding a tank or jet do you?
it'll also cost billions of dollars