Politics · October 7, 2026
81 US military aircraft, drones damaged during Iran war: Report
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Neutral Summary
A new Congressional Research Service (CRS) report indicates that the U.S. military has lost or sustained damage to at least 81 aircraft since the start of the conflict with Iran in February 2026. This figure, which has nearly doubled since a May assessment, includes advanced fighters like F-15Es and F-35As, as well as 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones. The report highlights potential capability gaps in other military theaters due to production constraints and the high cost of replacement, estimated by the Congressional Budget Office to be between $1.9 billion and $3.3 billion.
A new Congressional Research Service (CRS) report indicates that the U.S. military has lost or sustained damage to at least 81 aircraft since the start of the conflict with Iran in February 2026. This figure, which has nearly doubled since a May assessment, includes advanced fighters like F-15Es and F-35As, as well as 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones. The report highlights potential capability gaps in other military theaters due to production constraints and the high cost of replacement, estimated by the Congressional Budget Office to be between $1.9 billion and $3.3 billion.