Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Report Puts US Iran War Aircraft Losses at 81
A report says the US military has lost or had damage to at least 81 aircraft and drones during the war with Iran.
The equipment is estimated to be worth nearly $3.3 billion.
The list includes fighter jets, helicopters, refueling planes and drones.
At least 45 of the drones were MQ-9 Reapers.
Three F-15E jets were shot down over Kuwait by friendly fire, and another was shot down over Iran.
Eight more F-15Es were damaged at a base in Jordan but later returned to service.
The report also lists losses or damage to an F-35A, A-10s and other aircraft.
The final count may change because some details are secret or uncertain, and some damaged aircraft can be repaired.
A Congressional Research Service report says at least 81 US military aircraft and drones were lost or damaged in the Iran war, with an estimated value of nearly $3.3 billion.
The tally includes 12 F-15E aircraft, one F-35A, two A-10s, seven KC-135s and at least 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones.
Three F-15Es were shot down over Kuwait in a friendly-fire incident on March 2, and another was shot down over Iran the following month.
Eight F-15Es were slightly damaged in Iranian strikes on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan on September 9 and 10; the report says they returned to service.
The report cautions that the total may change because some details are classified, incident responsibility is uncertain, and damaged aircraft may be repaired.
- Who
- US military forces; the figures are from a Congressional Research Service report.
- What
- At least 81 US aircraft and drones were lost or damaged, with an estimated value of nearly $3.3 billion.
- When
- Since the war began on February 28; cited incidents include March 2 and the following month.
- Where
- During US operations in the Middle East, including incidents over Kuwait and Iran and strikes on a base in Jordan.
- Why
- The report documents aircraft losses and damage during the Iran war.
Reported figures
Caveats and uncertainties
Scale and value of the losses
Reported figures
The Congressional Research Service report puts the number of aircraft and drones lost or damaged at at least 81, with a value near $3.3 billion.
Caveats and uncertainties
The report says the tally could change because some information is classified, operations continue, and responsibility for some incidents is difficult to establish.
Damage versus permanent loss
Reported figures
The count includes aircraft that were damaged as well as those destroyed, including eight F-15Es damaged at a Jordanian base.
Caveats and uncertainties
The report says those F-15Es returned to service and notes that other damaged aircraft may also be repaired, so the tally does not mean every counted aircraft was permanently lost.
Incident claims and reporting
Reported figures
The articles describe reported US losses and damage, including a damaged F-35A and losses of other aircraft.
Caveats and uncertainties
One article notes that Iran has claimed strikes on F-35s and an E-3, while the report's overall count has caveats about classified details and uncertain responsibility.
- Reported total
- At least 81 aircraft and drones lost or damaged
- Estimated value
- Nearly $3.3 billion; another article describes this as a replacement cost of up to $3.3 billion
- MQ-9 Reapers
- At least 45 reported lost; estimated at $30 million to $50 million each
- F-15Es
- 12 reported lost or damaged; eight sustained minor damage at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base and returned to service
- Other listed aircraft
- 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 is classified, responsibility for some incidents is uncertain, and damaged aircraft may be repaired
Sources
12 F-15E Jets, 45 MQ-9 Drones: US Lost 81 Military Aircraft Worth $3.3 Billion In Iran War
MQ9 Reapers, F 15s, F 35: US has lost or damaged 81 aircraft, drones in Iran war
81 Aircraft, $3.3 Billion: MQ-9 Reaper and F-15Es Among Staggering US Air Losses In Iran War