Iranupdated 1h ago2 min read
Congressional Report Says 81 U.S. Aircraft, Helicopters, Drones Lost Or Severely Damaged In Iran War
81 U.S. aircraft lost or damaged since late February 2026, including drones, fighters, and helicopters. Estimated repair/replace cost up to $3.3 billion.
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81 losses, $3.3 billion
A Congressional Research Service report says at least 81 American aircraft, helicopters, and drones have been lost or sustained severe damage since the start of operations on February 28. The report says the largest losses occurred among drones of the MQ-9 Reaper model, with at least 45 of them missing. The report puts the financial cost of the losses at about $3.3 billion, and it warns the number of damaged aircraft could rise with new updates.
The report also lists 12 aircraft of the F-15E Strike Eagle model, noting that 3 of them were destroyed by friendly fire over Kuwaiti airspace last March. The report warns of potential pressures on the American defense-industrial base and the Department of Defense's ability to replace the missing aircraft quickly.
Reapers dominate, F-15E incidents
The CRS report says unmanned aircraft of the MQ-9 Reaper type were the most affected, with military sources recording the loss of at least 45 aircraft during strikes and reconnaissance missions over Iranian territory and its surroundings. The report includes 12 F-15E Strike Eagles, and it points to the destruction of three of these fighters by friendly fire over Kuwaiti airspace in March. The report also lists damage to one F-35A Lightning II and two A-10 Thunderbolt IIs.
The report says the losses also encompassed support aircraft, including seven KC-135 aerial refueling planes and an AWACS E-3 Sentry reconnaissance aircraft. The report says the authors warn of increasing pressure the U.S. defense industrial base could face and express concern about the Department of Defense’s ability to replace the lost aircraft quickly.
Budget strain and replacement risk
The report says the war is costing the United States budget between two and three billion dollars per month, according to estimates from the Congressional Budget Office.
The report says the total cost rose to about 44 billion dollars by September 3, with 60% of that amount for bombs, missiles, and ammunition.
The report warns that the figure could change as investigations into operational incidents continue and as some information remains subject to review.
The report says it relies on records from the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Central Command, along with results of investigations by the Military Inspector General.
The report frames the stakes as replacement capacity, warning of pressures on the defense-industrial base and the Department of Defense's ability to replace missing aircraft quickly.