US lost or damaged 42 aircraft and drones during Iran war, Congressional report says

A report by the Congressional Research Service has revealed that 42 US aircraft and drones were destroyed or damaged during Operation Epic Fury, the 40-day military campaign against Iran that began on February 28 this year.

The report, released on May 13, is considered the most detailed public assessment so far of US aircraft losses during the conflict. The Pentagon has not yet issued a comprehensive official account.

According to the CRS, the figures were compiled using media reports, Pentagon statements and announcements issued by United States Central Command.

The report stated that the Department of Defence, now also referred to as the “Department of War” under an executive order issued in September 2025, had not publicly released a complete list of operational losses.

During a congressional hearing on May 12, Acting Pentagon Comptroller Jules W. Hurst III said the estimated cost of military operations against Iran had risen to $29 billion, largely due to equipment repair and replacement costs.

The CRS report said the losses included fighter aircraft, helicopters, surveillance planes, aerial refuelling aircraft and drones.

Among the most significant incidents was the loss of four F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets.

According to Centcom, three F-15Es were accidentally shot down by friendly fire over Kuwait on March 2, although all six crew members survived after ejecting safely.

A fourth F-15E was reportedly shot down during combat operations over Iran on April 5, while both crew members were later rescued.

The report also cited damage to an F-35A stealth fighter caused by Iranian ground fire during operations over Iran in March.

An A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft was also lost on April 3 after being hit by enemy fire. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen Dan Caine said the pilot ejected safely before the aircraft crashed.

The CRS also detailed losses involving support aircraft.

Two KC-135 aerial refuelling aircraft were involved in an incident over friendly airspace on March 12. One crashed in Iraq, killing all six crew members onboard, while the second aircraft made an emergency landing.

Five additional KC-135 tankers were damaged in an Iranian missile and drone strike on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.

An E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control aircraft was also damaged in the same attack after reportedly being parked on an unprotected taxiway.

The report said special operations forces also suffered losses during rescue operations.

Two MC-130J Commando II aircraft deployed during a mission to recover a downed F-15E were intentionally destroyed on the ground in Iran after they became unable to leave the area. Their crews were evacuated safely.

An HH-60W Jolly Green II rescue helicopter was also damaged by small-arms fire during rescue operations. The largest losses involved unmanned aircraft.

According to the CRS, the US military lost 24 MQ-9 Reaper drones during the campaign, while an MQ-4C Triton surveillance drone also crashed in what a US Navy document described as a mishap.

The report warned that the losses could raise questions in Congress regarding military readiness, replacement costs and the ability of the US defence industry to rapidly replace aircraft during a prolonged conflict.