US Military Aircraft Losses in Iran Operations Rise to 81
A new Congressional Research Service tally lists 81 US military aircraft lost or damaged since operations against Iran began in February 2026.
The Congressional Research Service has confirmed at least 81 US military aircraft have been lost or damaged since operations against Iran began on February 28, 2026. The updated tally reflects the evolving scale of attrition in the prolonged conflict.
Breakdown shows significant fighter and surveillance losses
The losses span multiple aircraft types, with fighter and surveillance platforms taking significant hits. The list includes one E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft and one search-and-rescue helicopter. It also confirms the loss or damage of 12 F-15E Strike Eagle fighters and one F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter.
| Aircraft Type | Quantity Lost/Damaged |
|---|---|
| F-15E Strike Eagle | 12 |
| MQ-9 Reaper | 45 |
| F-35A Lightning II | 1 |
| E-3 Sentry | 1 |
| A-10 Thunderbolt II | 2 |
| Search-and-Rescue Helicopter | 1 |
Specific incidents highlight combat and friendly fire risks
Three F-15E jets were shot down in a friendly fire incident over Kuwait on March 2, 2026. All six crew members from those three aircraft ejected safely. A fourth F-15E was shot down during combat operations over Iran the following month. Both crew members of that fourth jet were recovered in separate rescue operations.
Additional damage occurred during base attacks and ground operations
Eight F-15Es sustained minor damage during Iranian airstrikes on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan on September 9 and 10. Some aircraft were hit while parked at bases. An A-10 Thunderbolt II was also damaged during that September attack on Jordan. The US lost another A-10 in a separate incident in April.
Drone losses and aging fleet concerns raise long-term questions
At least 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones have been lost. Each Reaper is estimated to be worth between $30 and $50 million. The Air Force is meant to have at least 189 deployable Reaper drones available at any time. The loss of one E-3 Sentry surveillance plane, valued at $270 million, shows a particular concern. The CRS identified losses involving aging aircraft that exist in small numbers as a critical issue. The US had only 32 E-3 Sentry aircraft in operation as of 2015. The total value of all losses could be as much as $3.3 billion. Some damaged aircraft may have returned to service.
Lawmakers are now facing questions about capability gaps created by these losses. The attrition of specialized, aging aircraft like the E-3 Sentry prompts difficult discussions about operational impacts and potential procurement changes.
