Congressional reports tally 81 U.S. aircraft lost or damaged in Iran war
publishers 20articles 21first reported 7 Oct, 11:33 UTCdeveloping since 8 Oct · 9 editions
At least 81 U.S. military aircraft have been lost or damaged during the war against Iran, with replacement costs estimated at between $1.9 billion and $3.3 billion, according to congressional reporting cited by multiple news outlets.
The tally covers incidents since the U.S.-Israeli campaign began on February 28 and includes fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters and uncrewed systems. The Express Tribune, citing a Congressional Research Service compilation, reported that records were drawn from Pentagon documents, U.S. Central Command statements, inspector general findings and press accounts. Al Jazeera attributed the cost estimate and an August 1 cutoff date to the Congressional Budget Office.
The largest category was 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones. The list also included three MQ-1 aircraft and an MQ-4C Triton, as well as 12 F-15E Strike Eagles. Three F-15Es were reportedly destroyed by friendly fire over Kuwait, one was downed over Iran and eight were lightly damaged in an Iranian missile strike on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan before returning to service.
Other affected aircraft included an F-35A damaged by Iranian ground fire, two A-10s, seven KC-135 refueling aircraft, an E-3 Sentry, two MC-130J transports intentionally destroyed during a rescue mission, and seven helicopters. One KC-135 crash in Iraq killed six crew members.
The Congressional Research Service cautioned that the tally could change because of classified information, continuing combat and unresolved attribution.
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