81 US aircraft lost or damaged during Iran war, shows report
The Congressional Research Service reported that at least 81 US fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and uncrewed aircraft were lost or damaged during military operations against Iran since February 28. The figures were compiled from Pentagon records, US Central Command statements, military inspector general findings, and press accounts. Uncrewed platforms suffered the most extensive losses, with 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones, three MQ-1 multi-role craft, and one MQ-4C Triton downed.
Manned combat airframes also sustained significant damage, including 12 F-15E Strike Eagles, one F-35A Lightning II, and two A-10 Thunderbolt II jets. Support fleets endured major attrition, with seven KC-135 Stratotanker refueling craft affected, one E-3 Sentry early warning plane taking a direct hit, two MC-130J special operations transports intentionally destroyed, and seven military helicopters lost or damaged.
These losses occurred amidst soaring financial costs in the Iran war, which began on February 28 with coordinated US-Israeli strikes.
Written by urgent.news from Qatar Tribune's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
