US Congressional Service Reports 81 Lost or Damaged Aircraft — AeroTime
The US Congressional Research Service, in a report updated on October 5, 2026, listed 81 US aircraft that, according to available reports, were lost or damaged during operations against Iran. The list includes manned aircraft, helicopters and drones. As AeroTime reports, the report is based on military statements, media reports and findings by the US Department of Defense inspector general.
The count includes both destroyed and damaged equipment. Researchers noted that some damaged aircraft may have returned to service. The May version of the document listed 42 lost or damaged aircraft. The increase does not necessarily mean that all additional losses occurred after May, as the data may change as new information emerges.
F-15E losses and damage at bases
The May report mentioned four destroyed F-15E Strike Eagle fighter-bombers. Three of them were shot down by friendly fire over Kuwait on March 2, 2026, and all six crew members ejected. Another F-15E was shot down during combat operations over Iran; both of its crew members were rescued in separate operations.
Damage to aircraft on the ground was also reported. In particular, five KC-135 tanker aircraft were damaged during an Iranian missile-and-drone attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. At the end of March, an E-3 Sentry airborne early warning and control aircraft was hit at the same base in another attack. According to subsequent reports, it was parked on an unprotected taxiway.
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Drones and the cost of replacing equipment
Other losses on the May list included a damaged F-35A, an A-10 aircraft that crashed after being hit by enemy fire during a rescue operation, and two MC-130J special operations aircraft. They were deliberately destroyed on the ground in Iran after they were unable to take off during an attempt to rescue the crew of a downed F-15E. The MC-130J crews were safely evacuated.
A significant part of the previous count consisted of drones: 24 MQ-9 Reapers and one MQ-4C Triton. In September, the Congressional Budget Office estimated the cost of replacing equipment lost as of August 1 at $1.9–3.3 billion, depending on Pentagon plans. This estimate covers equipment losses overall, not aviation alone.
CRS is particularly concerned about losses of older aircraft types available in small numbers, including the E-3. On October 4, the US Air Force also withdrew B-1B Lancer bombers from Royal Air Force Fairford in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom, and returned them to their permanent bases in the United States. Reuters, citing two US officials, reported that this happened due to concerns over a possible Iranian drone attack plan; Iran denied involvement.
