Congressional Report: US Lost or Damaged 81 Military Aircraft in Iran War, $3.3 Billion Cost

A new congressional report indicates that the United States military has sustained significant losses, with at least 81 aircraft lost or damaged during military operations against Iran since late February 2026. The report, issued by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service (CRS) on October 5, 2026, details these incidents, noting that the overall replacement cost for the equipment could reach up to $3.3 billion. This figure comes amidst broader financial tolls for the ongoing conflict, which a separate Lead Inspector General report estimated at $33.4 billion in total campaign expenses through late June.

The comprehensive tally includes a wide array of aircraft, such as 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones, 12 F-15E Strike Eagle fighters, seven KC-135 Stratotankers, and an F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter, among others. Causes for these losses and damages range from direct Iranian attacks on US bases, being shot down by Iranian forces, friendly-fire incidents, and various operational accidents, including some aircraft intentionally destroyed during rescue missions. The CRS report emphasizes that while 81 aircraft are listed, this count includes those that were damaged and potentially returned to service, and the numbers remain subject to revision due to ongoing combat and other factors.