A newly leaked Congressional Research Service (CRS) report has exposed the severe material and financial toll of United States military operations directed at Iran. The comprehensive assessment reveals that at least 81 US military aircraft have been destroyed or damaged since the conflict began, accumulating an estimated hardware replacement and repair cost of up to $3.3 billion.

Beyond aviation losses, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) calculates the total financial burden of the ongoing conflict at $43.6 billion, marking a sharp $5 billion increase from August estimates. Munitions and weapons expenditures alone surged from $21.7 billion to $28.1 billion within a single month.

Advanced Fighter Jet Casualties: F-35A and F-15E

The leaked data underscores that America’s most advanced tactical airframes have not been immune to attrition. The CRS report details that 12 F-15E Strike Eagles have been lost or damaged. Three of these aircraft were downed by friendly fire over Kuwait on March 2, followed by another F-15E crashing over Iran the subsequent month. Eight additional F-15Es sustained minor damage during Iranian strikes on Jordan’s Muwaffaq Salti Air Base on September 9 and 10, though these airframes were later returned to active service.

Furthermore, a fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II, valued at over $92 million, sustained damage from Iranian fire on March 19.

Severe Depletion of the MQ-9 Reaper Fleet

Unmanned aerial systems absorbed the heaviest operational losses, dealing a significant blow to US intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. At least 45 MQ-9 Reapers have been lost in the theater.

With individual unit costs ranging between $30 million and $50 million, these continuous drone casualties have critically reduced the US Air Force’s operational readiness. The active, deployable MQ-9 fleet has plummeted to 135 units, falling dangerously short of the Air Force’s mandated minimum requirement of 189 deployable Reapers.

Strategic Asset and Close Air Support Losses

The inventory of losses extends to high-value strategic platforms and specialized close air support aircraft. An E-3 Sentry airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, valued at approximately $270 million, is among the most expensive single-asset casualties. Built on the Boeing 707 airframe, the aging but indispensable E-3 fleet numbered only 32 aircraft as of 2015, making any loss structurally significant to US airspace management capabilities.

Additionally, the A-10 Thunderbolt II fleet suffered casualties, with one “Warthog” lost in April and another damaged during the September attacks in Jordan.

Complete Breakdown of US Aviation Losses

The CRS emphasized that these figures remain dynamic. Classification restrictions, ongoing combat operations, and pending post-action damage assessments mean the official loss count could be adjusted upward in future briefings.