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US Aircraft Losses in Iran War Reach 81, Costing $3.3 Billion
A new report says the United States has lost or had damage to at least 81 aircraft and drones during the Iran war.
The damaged and lost equipment is estimated to be worth almost $3.3 billion.
The list includes fighter jets, helicopters, refueling aircraft and many drones.
Forty-five of the aircraft in the count were MQ-9 Reaper drones.
Three F-15s were mistakenly shot down by friendly fire over Kuwait, according to the report.
Another F-15 was shot down over Iran the next month.
The report says the final count could change because some information is secret or unclear.
Some damaged aircraft may be fixed and returned to service.
A Congressional Research Service report says at least 81 US military aircraft and drones have been lost or damaged in the Iran war, with an estimated value near $3.3 billion.
Reported losses include 12 F-15E aircraft, one F-35A, two A-10s and seven KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft.
The tally also includes 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones, one E-3 Sentry, two MC-130J aircraft and several other uncrewed aircraft and helicopters.
Three F-15Es were shot down in friendly fire over Kuwait on March 2; the report says another was shot down over Iran the following month.
The report cautions that totals may change because some details remain classified, responsibility for incidents is uncertain, and damaged aircraft may be repaired.
- Who
- US military forces; the figures are in a Congressional Research Service report.
- What
- At least 81 US military aircraft and drones were lost or damaged, with an estimated value of nearly $3.3 billion.
- Where
- During operations in the Middle East, including incidents over Kuwait, Iran and Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan.
- When
- Since the beginning of the Iran war earlier this year; the report cites an incident on March 2 and another the following month.
- Why
- The report describes aircraft combat damage and losses during US military operations in the Iran war.
Reported assessment
Caveats and uncertainty
Scale and cost of losses
Reported assessment
The Congressional Research Service report puts the tally at at least 81 aircraft and drones lost or damaged, worth nearly $3.3 billion.
Caveats and uncertainty
The report warns the figure could change because some combat information is classified and some incidents are difficult to attribute; some damaged aircraft may be repaired.
Public response
Reported assessment
The report provides a rare official account of US aircraft damage and losses.
Caveats and uncertainty
The White House and the Pentagon had not commented on the reports, according to the article.
Key facts
- Reported total
- At least 81 aircraft and drones lost or damaged
- Estimated value
- Nearly $3.3 billion
- MQ-9 Reapers
- 45 reported lost
- F-15E aircraft
- 12 reported lost; at least eight others sustained minor damage, according to the article
- Other named losses
- One F-35A, two A-10s and seven KC-135s
- Report
- US Aircraft Combat Damage in Operation Epic Fury: Considerations for Congress
- Caveats
- Some information remains classified; incident responsibility may be difficult to establish, and damaged aircraft may return to service
Sources
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