US Military Lost 81 Aircraft, Drones and Helicopters in Iran War: Report

A Congressional Research Service report has revealed that the US suffered significant losses to its air power during the war against Iran.

According to the report, at least 81 US military aircraft were either destroyed or damaged during the conflict. The affected aircraft included fighter jets, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles.

The MQ-9 Reaper drones accounted for the largest share of the losses, with at least 45 drones reportedly lost during operations against Iran.

The report said the US aircraft losses were not limited to direct Iranian attacks.

In March, three US aircraft were destroyed in a US firing incident in Kuwait, while an F-15E fighter jet was destroyed over Iran in April.

In September, an Iranian attack on a US air base in Jordan damaged 15 F-16 aircraft. The aircraft were later returned to operational service.

The report also mentioned damage to an F-35A Lightning II, two A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft and a KC-135 aerial refuelling aircraft.

The figures challenge the perception that modern US air power can remain largely protected from losses during a major war.

The large number of MQ-9 Reaper drones lost also highlights the risks faced by US assets used for long-range operations and surveillance.