The United States military has lost or sustained damage to more than 80 aircraft and drones in the conflict with Iran, generating financial losses reaching billions of dollars and exposing vulnerabilities in contested airspace, according to a congressional report. The updated finding from the Congressional Research Service details 81 military aircraft incapacitated or harmed during operations that began on February 28, marking a significant departure from the air superiority maintained during past campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Eighty-One Aircraft Damaged or Destroyed in Middle East Bases and Airspace
The updated Congressional Research Service report, published in October 2026, attributes the tally to official military statements, media reports, and information from the Pentagon’s inspector general, which had tracked nearly 60 aircraft damaged or destroyed by June 30. The affected fleet spans fighters, tankers, helicopters, early-warning aircraft, and special operations platforms. Nearly 50 of the losses consist of unmanned aerial vehicles, predominantly MQ-9 Reapers, alongside several MQ-1 Predators and one MQ-4C Triton. The Reaper fleet’s reduction leaves the Air Force below its required deployment readiness of at least 189 ready aircraft, shrinking the inventory down to 135 machines.
High-value assets feature prominently in the damage list. The tally includes a stealth F-35A Lightning II fighter and an E-3 Sentry airborne early warning and control aircraft. The F-35A sustained damage estimated at over $92 million after being fired upon by Iran on March 19, while the E-3 Sentry is valued at approximately $270 million. Additional fixed-wing losses include an A-10 Thunderbolt II attack jet lost in April, alongside seven KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft. Among those tankers, a crash in Iraq in mid-March resulted in the deaths of all six crew members, marking the conflict’s deadliest single aviation incident.
Financial Toll Reaches Billions as Operation Epic Fury Expenses Mount
Estimates for the equipment losses vary depending on military replacement plans. Beyond equipment write-offs, the broader financial footprint of the campaign is substantially higher. Sources cited by CNN placed the total cost of the conflict at least 45 милиарда долара, while the Congressional Budget Office previously assessed Operation Epic Fury at over 38 милиарда долара in overall expenses including munitions and operational costs.
Ground attacks have added to the hardware toll. Eight F-15E Strike Eagle fighters sustained minor damage during Iranian airstrikes targeting the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan during September, though those airframes have since returned to operational status. Conversely, friendly fire accounted for the complete destruction of three F-15E fighters over Kuwait on March 2. While some damaged assets undergo repairs and re-entry into service, the timeline for defense manufacturers to replace high-end jets and specialized radar planes remains a central concern for lawmakers evaluating the industrial base’s capacity to absorb sustained attrition.
Congressional report reveals drone and aircraft losses in Iran conflict
How many MQ-9 Reaper drones were lost in the conflict with Iran?
The Congressional Research Service report states that nearly 50 drones of various types were lost, with the MQ-9 Reaper comprising the majority of those unmanned aircraft casualties.
What was the costliest single aviation incident recorded in the report?
A KC-135 Stratotanker crash in Iraq in mid-March resulted in the deaths of all six crew members, making it the most severe operational incident listed in the congressional findings.
Which high-value radar and stealth aircraft were impacted?
The losses and damages include an E-3 Sentry airborne warning aircraft valued at approximately $270 million and an F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter hit by Iranian fire on March 19.
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