The U.S. has lost 81 military aircraft in the Iran war.

Reference News Network, October 9 According to a report from the New York Post website on October 6, a new report from the U.S. Congressional Research Service states that since the outbreak of the Iran War, the U.S. has suffered damage or destruction to at least 81 military aircraft, with total losses amounting to $3.3 billion.

These losses include some of the most advanced military aircraft in the U.S. inventory, including a damaged F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter and 12 F-15E Strike Eagle fighters that were destroyed or damaged.

On March 2, three F-15E fighters were shot down by friendly fire over Kuwait, each valued at over $30 million, and another was shot down the following month over Iran.

Additionally, eight F-15E fighters sustained minor damage during Iranian airstrikes on the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan on September 9 and 10.

The report states that fortunately, these damaged aircraft have been returned to service.

Another significant loss comes from at least 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones, estimated to be worth between $30 million and $50 million each.

Previously, an Air Force general told the Senate in May that following these losses, the number of these multi-role drones capable of conducting reconnaissance and missile strike missions had dropped to 135.

The analysis report also mentioned the loss of a fifth-generation fighter, the F-35A, which is one of the most advanced fighters in the U.S., valued at over $92 million, and was attacked by Iranian fire on March 19.

The Congressional Research Service also specifically noted the loss of a $270 million E-3 Sentry early warning aircraft.

In addition, the U.S. lost an A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft in April, and another was damaged in the September attack against Jordan.

The U.S. military aircraft damaged or destroyed in the Iran War mainly include 12 F-15E Strike Eagle fighters, 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones, 1 F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter, 2 A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft, 7 KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft, 1 E-3 Sentry early warning aircraft, and 1 Apache attack helicopter, among others. (Translated by Qing Songzhu)