US Aviation Losses in Iran War: Congress Report

A recent report by the US Congressional Research Service revealed that US forces lost or had at least 81 aircraft, helicopters, and drones severely damaged since operations linked to the confrontation with Iran began on February 28, at an estimated cost of about $3.3 billion. The report indicated that MQ-9 Reaper drones were the most affected, with 45 lost, in addition to 12 F-15E fighter jets, three of which were destroyed by friendly fire over Kuwait in March. An F-35A, two A-10s, seven KC-135 tankers, and an E-3 early warning aircraft were also damaged. The report warned of pressures on the US defense industry amid stalled negotiations between Washington and Tehran over navigation security in the Strait of Hormuz.