US military has lost 81 aircraft in Iran war according to Congressional report

Eighty-one aircraft within the U.S. military have been destroyed or damaged during the conflict with Iran, according to a recent Congressional Research Service report.

Among the casualties are advanced systems such as the F‑35A fighter jet and the E‑3 Sentry. The latter features four jet engines and a prominent radar dome integrated into its fuselage, allowing operators to track targets and manage airspace during combat.

The MQ‑9 Reaper helicopter has accounted for more than half of the total losses, reflecting its central importance in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions along the western front.

The cumulative monetary value of aircraft lost since February ranges between $1.9 billion and $3.3 billion, based on figures provided by the Congressional Budget Office.

US Central Command estimates that the overall cost of the Iran campaign has reached approximately $44 billion as of September. This calculation notably excludes damage sustained to U.S. base infrastructure in the Middle East.

News reports suggest that some damaged platforms may ultimately be restored; specifically, eight F‑15 Strike Eagle fighter jets have been repaired after sustaining damage during an Iranian strike on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan on the night of September 8.

A bipartisan backlash against Pentagencies has grown due to officials’ perceived reluctance to transparently disclose war costs and strategic responses to the Iran threat.

During a meeting with Defense Undersecretary Elbridge Colby and the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Jacky Rose of Nevada claimed Colby was non‑responsive and failed to adequately address member concerns.

Senator Chris Murphy likewise stated that the Department of Defense prohibited him from accessing a key military facility in Qatar, describing such actions as part of a broad governmental effort to veil the true impact of the war on the public discourse.

“This trip confirmed for me that there is an active, unprecedented, unconventional effort to conceal the war’s financial burden and its implications from Congress and the American people,” Murphy said while addressing journalists in Riyadh.

Analysis: Analysts cited by CNN pointed out that operations against Iran and its proxies have severely impacted the MQ‑9 fleet. The Air Force Chief of Staff, Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, testified before Congress calling the Reapers the “most valuable player” in the conflict. The service currently operates roughly 135 of these drones, though recent losses in this fiscal year totaled forty‑five, a figure the Atlantic Council labels alarmingly high. The U.S. force remains confident in deploying nearly 120 aircraft despite these setbacks.

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