Congressional report lists 81 U.S. aircraft damaged or lost, with equipment costs up to $3.3 billion

What This is

• An updated Congressional Research Service report lists at least 81 U.S. military aircraft as damaged or lost in operations against Iran since Feb. 28.
• The campaign began as Operation Epic Fury, while the separate cost estimate covers broader equipment losses through Aug. 1.
• The tally includes heavy losses of MQ-9 Reaper drones, with about 45 reported damaged or destroyed.
• The reported losses also include 12 F-15E Strike Eagles, seven KC-135 tankers, an F-35A fighter, and an E-3 Sentry surveillance plane.
• The reported causes include Iranian strikes, ground fire, friendly fire, accidents, and aircraft intentionally destroyed during rescue operations.
• One KC-135 crash killed six crew members, while a Navy helicopter commander was lost in another crash.
• The report estimates aircraft repair or replacement costs at roughly $1.9 billion to $3.3 billion, while overall war spending is reported to be far higher in some estimates.

Why This Matters

• Aircraft losses and repair backlogs can limit how long the U.S. can sustain high-intensity operations without weakening readiness elsewhere.
• Large drone attrition shows how relatively cheap attacks can pressure expensive air forces and force changes in base defense and daily operations.
• Disputes over what was lost, and why, shape public trust and make it harder for elected officials to judge risk and accountability.
• Shifts away from exposed bases can change the military balance by slowing response times and raising the cost of projecting power in the region.