A recent Congressional Research Service (CRS) report reveals that the United States military has incurred significant losses during the ongoing conflict with Iran. Since the war commenced on February 28, the US has lost or sustained damage to at least 81 aircraft, drones, and helicopters, with an estimated total cost reaching $3.3 billion.
These substantial losses encompass some of the most advanced military assets in the US arsenal, including state-of-the-art fighter jets, sophisticated surveillance aircraft, refueling platforms, and a large number of unmanned aerial systems crucial to American operations in the region.
F-15E Strike Eagles Among Key Losses
The CRS report highlights the loss or damage of 12 F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets. Three of these twin-engine, all-weather fighters, each valued at over $30 million, were reportedly shot down over Kuwait on March 2 in what US officials described as friendly-fire incidents. Another F-15E was lost over Iran the following month.
Additionally, eight F-15Es sustained minor damage during Iranian airstrikes targeting Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan on September 9 and 10. The report indicates that these damaged aircraft have since been returned to service. The F-15E Strike Eagle remains a vital component of US air operations due to its versatile air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities.
Extensive Reaper Drone Casualties
Unmanned aircraft account for the largest proportion of the losses. The CRS analysis confirms that at least 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones have been lost. Each Reaper drone, critical for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions and capable of precision strikes, is estimated to cost between $30 million and $50 million, depending on its configuration.
These significant drone losses have notably impacted the size of the US Reaper fleet. An Air Force general informed the Senate in May that the number of operational Reapers had decreased to 135, underscoring the operational challenges posed by the ongoing conflict.
F-35A Lightning II and E-3 Sentry Also Affected
The report also details damage to an F-35A Lightning II, one of the most advanced fifth-generation stealth fighters in the US inventory. This aircraft, valued at over $92 million, was damaged on March 19 after coming under Iranian fire. The F-35's combination of stealth, advanced sensors, electronic warfare systems, and networked capabilities means that even a single loss or major repair represents a significant financial and operational blow to the US military.
Furthermore, an E-3 Sentry surveillance aircraft was also among the damaged assets, though specific details regarding its incident were not extensively provided in the summary.