U.S. Aircraft Losses Mount in Iran War as Costs Climb to $29 Billion

A new Congressional Research Service (CRS) report has detailed significant U.S. aircraft losses and damage during Operation Epic Fury, the U.S.-led military campaign against Iran that began in late February 2026.

The nonpartisan report, drawing from public statements, news reports, and Department of Defense disclosures, lists approximately 42 fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and uncrewed aircraft impacted during the operation. Replacement costs for the affected platforms are estimated at around $2.6 billion.

Key losses documented in the report include four F-15E Strike Eagles destroyed, including three in a friendly fire incident over Kuwait and one shot down over Iran, one F-35A Lightning II damaged in a notable combat incident for the advanced stealth fighter, one A-10 Thunderbolt II destroyed, seven KC-135 Stratotankers lost or damaged, two MC-130J Commando II aircraft destroyed, and 24 MQ-9 Reaper drones lost. Additional damage was reported to an E-3 Sentry AWACS, an HH-60W rescue helicopter, and an MQ-4C Triton UAV.

The Pentagon has separately raised its estimate for total U.S. military operations costs in the Iran campaign to $29 billion as of mid-May.

Operation Epic Fury, launched on February 28 in coordination with Israel, involved extensive airstrikes aimed at Iranian targets. While a fragile ceasefire is now in place, the campaign has exposed operational challenges, including combat losses, friendly fire incidents, and strain on U.S. air assets.

Congressional oversight bodies continue to seek fuller accounting from the Pentagon as debates over the operation’s costs and strategic implications intensify.