Iran
81 U.S. Aircraft Lost or Damaged in War Against Iran, According to Congressional Report
An updated report from the U.S. Congressional Research Service states that at least 81 U.S. military aircraft were lost or damaged in operations against Iran since Feb. 28, compared to 42 in a May estimate. The largest losses are of MQ-9 Reaper drones, at least 45 of which were lost. Congress's budget office estimated equipment losses as of Aug. 1 between $1.9 billion and $3.3 billion.
· Source: N12. Photo as published in the article
According to an updated report from the U.S. Congressional Research Service, CRS, at least 81 U.S. military aircraft were lost or damaged in operations against Iran since Feb. 28, compared to an estimate of 42 aircraft in May.
The CRS report, updated Oct. 5, includes planes, helicopters and unmanned systems. CRS officials emphasized that the number could still change because of classified information, ongoing combat and operational attrition. According to the report, some damaged aircraft have already returned to service.
The largest losses are of MQ-9 Reaper drones: according to the report at least 45 were lost, and according to foreign reports 47. The report also lists 12 F-15E Strike Eagles, including three destroyed by friendly fire over Kuwait in March and another destroyed over Iran in April. The list also includes one F-35A Lightning II, two A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, seven KC-135 tanker aircraft and an E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control aircraft.
Among helicopter losses are AH-64 Apache helicopters, according to reports shot down over the Strait of Hormuz, four AH-6 Little Bird helicopters destroyed during rescue operations and an MH-60 Sea Hawk helicopter that crashed over the Arabian Sea. In September 2026, Congress's budget office, CBO, estimated that equipment losses as of Aug. 1 ranged between $1.9 billion and $3.3 billion.
According to CRS, the losses raise questions for congressional oversight, including whether the Pentagon has sufficient information and budget to replace damaged aircraft, and whether the loss of rare and aging systems such as the E-3 could create capability gaps in other theaters.
Source: N12
