At least 81 U.S. aircraft, helicopters and drones have been lost or damaged since operations against Iran began on February 28, according to an Replacement costs could reach $3.3 billion.
MQ-9 Reaper drones account for the largest share of the reported losses, with at least 45. The report also lists 12 F-15E Strike Eagle fighters. Three of those were destroyed by friendly fire over Kuwait in March, according to the document.
Other aircraft listed include one F-35A Lightning II, two A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, seven KC-135 aerial refueling tankers and one E-3 Sentry airborne warning and surveillance aircraft. CRS said the tally could change as further information becomes available.
The research service warned that the losses could strain the U.S. defense industrial base and the Pentagon’s ability to replace aircraft quickly. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated the war costs between $2 billion and $3 billion a month, with spending potentially rising if fighting intensifies. The report put the conflict’s total cost at about $44 billion through September 3, with roughly 60% spent on bombs, missiles and ammunition.