Additional casualties listed in the report include 2 A-10 jets, 1 E-3 Sentry, and 2 MC-130J special operations aircraft. The drone fleet lost 1 MQ-4C Triton and 3 MQ-1 aircraft, while helicopter losses included 4 AH-6, 1 Apache, 1 Sea Hawk, and 1 rescue helicopter. These figures represent the total volume of attrition recorded since the start of operations against Iran.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
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US Loses 81 Military Aircraft in Iran War at Up to $3.3B Cost
War14 days ago
A new report from the Congressional Research Service details the damage and attrition of American air power in the Middle East. The findings show that at least 81 military aircraft were either destroyed, lost, or knocked out of service during the war with Iran, with estimated costs ranging from $1.9B to $3.3B. The losses were led by 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones, followed by 12 F-15 fighter jets, 7 KC-135 refueling planes, and 1 F-35.
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