A US congressional assessment identifies 81 US military aircraft lost or damaged during the Iran war, including 45 MQ-9 drones, 12 F-15E fighters and 7 KC-135 tankers.

 81 AMERICAN AIRCRAFT LOST OR DAMAGED IN IRAN WAR: FULL BREAKDOWN OF THE $1.9–$3.3 BILLION COST.

The United States has reportedly lost or suffered damage to 81 military aircraft during its war against Iran, including 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones, 12 F-15E fighter jets, seven KC-135 refuelling aircraft and other high-value military platforms. The estimated cost of replacing the affected aircraft ranges from $1.9 billion to $3.3 billion, according to figures cited in recent US congressional reporting.

The figures highlight the financial and operational challenges facing the US military as the conflict demonstrates the vulnerability of even sophisticated military equipment to enemy attacks, friendly-fire incidents and operational accidents.

The latest assessment, reported in October 2026, provides a broader picture of American aircraft losses during Operation Epic Fury, the US military campaign against Iran that began on February 28, 2026.

However, there is an important distinction: the 81 aircraft were not all destroyed in combat. The tally includes aircraft that were destroyed, damaged, shot down or lost in accidents. Some damaged aircraft may have returned to service.

According to reporting by Stars and Stripes and Al Jazeera, the Congressional Research Service compiled information from Pentagon statements, US Central Command, military oversight reports and media accounts. The assessment covers incidents recorded through the period examined in the congressional reporting.

1. THE FULL BREAKDOWN: 81 AMERICAN AIRCRAFT

The reported inventory includes fighter jets, aerial refuelling aircraft, special operations planes, surveillance platforms, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Here is the breakdown provided in the reported figures:

No.	Aircraft type	Reported number
1	F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets	12
2	F-35A Lightning II fighter jet	1
3	A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft	2
4	KC-135 Stratotanker refuelling aircraft	7
5	E-3 Sentry airborne early-warning aircraft	1
6	MC-130J Commando II special operations aircraft	2
7	MQ-9 Reaper drones	45
8	AH-64 Apache helicopter	1
9	MQ-4C Triton drone	1
10	MQ-1 drones	3
11	Rescue helicopter	1
12	AH-6 Little Bird helicopters	4
13	Seahawk helicopter	1
	TOTAL	81

Important note: The table reproduces the supplied breakdown. The aircraft categories and individual incident details should be checked against the underlying congressional report before publication. The official reporting distinguishes between destroyed aircraft, damaged aircraft and losses caused by accidents or friendly fire.

2. MQ-9 REAPER DRONES: THE BIGGEST CATEGORY OF LOSSES

Reported number: 45 aircraft

The most striking figure is the reported loss or damage of 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones.

That represents more than half of the 81 aircraft in the overall tally.

The MQ-9 Reaper is an unmanned military aircraft used for intelligence gathering, surveillance, reconnaissance and precision strikes. It can remain airborne for extended periods, allowing military commanders to monitor developments and conduct operations without placing a pilot inside the aircraft.

These drones are valuable because they provide persistent surveillance and strike capabilities over large areas.

However, their sophisticated sensors and weapons do not make them invulnerable.

Military drones can be threatened by air-defence systems, electronic warfare, attacks on operating bases and other battlefield hazards. Their loss can also mean the loss of valuable surveillance equipment and operational capability.

The reported number raises important questions about the cost of maintaining persistent surveillance in a contested airspace.

It also demonstrates why the ability to manufacture, deploy and replace unmanned systems is becoming increasingly important in modern warfare.

The United States has invested heavily in remotely piloted aircraft, but the reported losses show that large drone fleets can face substantial attrition during a prolonged conflict.

3. F-15E STRIKE EAGLE: 12 FIGHTER JETS AFFECTED

Reported number: 12 aircraft

The F-15E Strike Eagle is a multirole combat aircraft designed to carry out air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.

It is capable of carrying substantial weapons loads and operating over long distances, making it an important component of US strike operations.

The reported figure includes several different incidents.

According to the congressional reporting summarised by Anadolu Agency, three F-15E aircraft were destroyed by friendly fire over Kuwait, one was downed over Iran, and eight sustained light damage during an Iranian attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan.

The eight aircraft damaged in Jordan reportedly returned to service.

This distinction matters.

An aircraft that sustains repairable damage is not necessarily a permanent loss. Nevertheless, damage can temporarily remove an aircraft from operational duty, require expensive maintenance and place additional pressure on the remaining fleet.

The incidents also highlight the dangers of operating in a complex combat environment where enemy attacks, air-defence systems and the risk of friendly fire can all affect aircraft.

The F-15E remains a formidable combat platform, but its reported involvement in multiple incidents illustrates that even established military aircraft face significant risks during sustained operations.

4. F-35 LIGHTNING II: AN ADVANCED STEALTH FIGHTER DAMAGED

Reported number: 1 aircraft

The F-35A Lightning II is one of the United States' most advanced combat aircraft.

It combines stealth characteristics, advanced sensors, electronic warfare systems and the ability to share information with other military platforms.

These capabilities are designed to help it detect threats, coordinate operations and attack targets while reducing its vulnerability to enemy defences.

However, stealth technology does not make an aircraft invisible or invulnerable.

The congressional reporting cited by Anadolu Agency states that Iranian ground fire damaged an F-35A during combat operations.

The reported incident is significant because the F-35 represents a major investment in advanced military aviation.

Its sophisticated technology makes maintenance and repair more demanding than those of many conventional aircraft.

Nevertheless, the reported figure refers to an aircraft affected by damage, not necessarily one permanently destroyed.

The incident underlines an important principle of military aviation: advanced technology can improve survivability, but it cannot eliminate battlefield risk.

5. A-10 THUNDERBOLT II: TWO ATTACK AIRCRAFT AFFECTED

Reported number: 2 aircraft

The A-10 Thunderbolt II, popularly known as the Warthog, was developed primarily to support ground forces.

It is known for its durability, heavy cannon and ability to carry weapons against ground targets.

The aircraft has served for decades and remains associated with close air support and battlefield attack missions.

The reported tally includes two A-10 aircraft affected during the Iran conflict.

An earlier Congressional Research Service assessment described one A-10 as having been struck by enemy fire before crashing during search-and-rescue operations. Its pilot ejected and was recovered safely.

The loss or damage of these aircraft illustrates the risks associated with missions conducted near hostile forces.

Aircraft operating at relatively low altitudes or supporting ground operations can face threats that differ from those encountered during high-altitude missions.

The A-10's reputation for durability does not mean it can withstand every weapon or survive every battlefield situation.

6. KC-135 STRATOTANKER: SEVEN REFUELLING AIRCRAFT AFFECTED

Reported number: 7 aircraft

The KC-135 Stratotanker may not receive the same public attention as fighter jets, but it plays a critical role in American airpower.

The aircraft allows compatible military planes to refuel in flight, extending their operational range and time in the air.

Without aerial refuelling, long-distance military missions can become more difficult, and aircraft may need to make additional stops or operate closer to their home bases.

The reported tally includes seven KC-135 aircraft.

The incidents include a fatal crash in Iraq, in which six crew members died, and reports that five aircraft were damaged on the ground at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia during an Iranian missile and drone attack. A second tanker involved in the Iraq incident made an emergency landing.

These incidents demonstrate that military support aircraft can be just as important to an air campaign as the fighters that conduct strikes.

A damaged tanker can affect more than its own mission. It can also reduce the availability of aerial refuelling support for other aircraft.

The reported losses therefore raise questions about the protection of military bases, the resilience of refuelling operations and the ability to sustain long-distance air missions.

7. E-3 SENTRY: A CRITICAL AIRBORNE SURVEILLANCE PLATFORM

Reported number: 1 aircraft

The E-3 Sentry is an airborne warning and control aircraft commonly known as an AWACS platform.

Its large radar system helps military commanders detect aircraft, track activity and coordinate operations across a broad area.

It functions as an airborne surveillance and command platform, providing information that can help other aircraft and ground units understand the developing battlefield.

The reported assessment identifies one E-3 Sentry as lost or damaged during the conflict.

Reporting by The War Zone described extensive damage to an E-3 at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia after an attack on the facility. The aircraft was among the high-value platforms affected during the conflict.

The significance of an E-3 incident extends beyond the price of a single aircraft.

Specialised airborne surveillance platforms are difficult to replace quickly because they require complex equipment, trained crews and extensive technical support.

The damage therefore illustrates why military planners must protect not only frontline aircraft but also the surveillance and command systems that help coordinate them.

8. MC-130J COMMANDO II: TWO SPECIAL OPERATIONS AIRCRAFT

Reported number: 2 aircraft

The MC-130J Commando II is a special operations aircraft used for missions that can include transporting personnel and equipment, supporting specialised operations and conducting certain refuelling missions.

The reported losses were associated with a search-and-rescue operation involving a downed F-15E.

According to the earlier Congressional Research Service assessment, two MC-130J aircraft were intentionally destroyed on the ground in Iran after becoming unable to depart during the operation. Their crews were evacuated safely.

This incident demonstrates that aircraft can be lost even when the crews survive and the mission involves recovering personnel rather than carrying out an attack.

It also highlights the risks of operating aircraft in hostile territory, where the ability to land, depart and recover personnel may be affected by enemy activity and difficult operating conditions.

The loss of specialised aircraft can create additional challenges because replacing them involves more than simply purchasing a standard transport plane.

9. HELICOPTERS: APACHE, AH-6, SEAHAWK AND RESCUE AIRCRAFT

The supplied breakdown identifies seven helicopters across four categories:

• One AH-64 Apache.
• Four AH-6 Little Bird helicopters.
• One Seahawk helicopter.
• One rescue helicopter.

Helicopters support a range of military operations, including transporting personnel, conducting reconnaissance, attacking ground targets and recovering injured or stranded service members.

The AH-64 Apache is an attack helicopter designed for combat missions.

The smaller AH-6 Little Bird is used for specialised missions, including reconnaissance and operations requiring a compact, manoeuvrable aircraft.

The Seahawk family of helicopters supports naval operations, with variants designed for missions such as anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare and search and rescue.

Rescue helicopters can be especially important in a conflict where aircraft crews may need to be recovered from hostile territory.

The reported helicopter incidents underline the risks associated with operations that bring aircraft close to the ground or require them to operate in contested environments.

A caution on the figures: The supplied category list should not be interpreted as confirmation that every helicopter was shot down by Iran. The overall congressional tally includes multiple causes, and the specific circumstances differ from one incident to another.

10. MQ-4C TRITON AND MQ-1 DRONES

The supplied figures also identify one MQ-4 aircraft and three MQ-1 drones.

The MQ-4C Triton is a high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft designed primarily for maritime surveillance and reconnaissance.

It can monitor extensive areas and collect information that supports military awareness and planning.

An earlier Congressional Research Service report identified an MQ-4C Triton that crashed in a flight mishap. This is an important distinction because an aircraft lost in an accident should not automatically be described as having been shot down by enemy fire.

The MQ-1 series is another family of remotely piloted aircraft associated with military surveillance and strike operations.

The reported involvement of these platforms illustrates the range of American unmanned aviation assets affected by the conflict.

The United States relies on several types of drones, each with different capabilities and operational roles. Their losses can reduce surveillance coverage and create additional demands for replacement aircraft, maintenance personnel and mission planning.

THE FINANCIAL COST: BETWEEN $1.9 BILLION AND $3.3 BILLION

The headline figure is substantial: an estimated $1.9 billion to $3.3 billion associated with replacing the affected aircraft.

According to reporting by Al Jazeera, the estimate draws on figures from the Congressional Budget Office.

The range reflects different assumptions about replacement decisions and the cost of acquiring alternative aircraft. It should not be interpreted as a final bill for all military spending associated with these incidents.

Why is there such a wide difference between the two estimates?