One estimate values each Reaper at $30 million, bringing the total estimated loss for the US fleet to $1.62 billion. The Washington Post reports a lower count of at least 45 Reapers lost since February, a figure that includes crashes and friendly fire. Iran told Bloomberg last week that its rebuilt air defenses now operate at a "much higher level" than during fighting in the spring.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
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Iran IRGC Burns 2 Tankers and Downs 54th US MQ-9 Drone
War14 hours ago
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran claims it attacked two tankers in the Strait of Hormuz early Tuesday. The IRGC also reported shooting down a US MQ-9 Reaper drone in the same waterway, identifying the aircraft as the 54th American drone it has destroyed. The Iranian military stated the operation used a new advanced air defense system managed by its Integrated Air Defense Network, and that the drone fell into the Gulf after being hit by missile fire.
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