The conflict has inflicted substantial losses on U.S. airpower, including damaged and destroyed aircraft across multiple brands: five KC-135 tankers damaged, eight F-15Es lightly damaged and later brought back to service, one E-3 Sentry sustained a direct hit, two MC-130Js destroyed during rescue operations, an HH-60W damaged, and four AH-6 Little Bird helicopters destroyed in separate rescues, with three F-15Es lost to friendly fire early in the conflict.

Drones have become central to the tally, with at least 45 MQ-9 Reapers lost, along with a few MQ-1s and an MQ-4C Triton identified, underscoring the shift in airpower strategy even as the Air Force retires older models and pursues a planned successor.

Overall drone losses dominate the counts, while manned aircraft in the mix include 12 F-15Es, one F-35A, seven KC-135s, and an E-3 Sentry affected, highlighting a broad spectrum of aircraft impacted.

The war’s price tag is estimated around $38 billion through August per the CBO, with the White House seeking about $87.6 billion in emergency funding, and the Pentagon needing money to replace equipment such as a THAAD radar; Congress has not yet approved the request.

CRS warns that tallies will keep changing due to classification, ongoing operations, and attribution questions, and they suggest Congress examine the industrial base’s ability to quickly replace aircraft and whether U.S. equipment, tactics, or basing must adapt to Iran’s capabilities.

The overall narrative remains dangerous for service members and costly for taxpayers, with ongoing assessments from government and independent observers.

Beyond losses, the discussion covers readiness implications and stockpile depletion—Pentagon data shows billions spent on munitions—raising questions about the U.S. ability to replenish aircraft quickly.

CBO estimates could push the cost of damaged aircraft up to about $3.3 billion, while official Pentagon figures show roughly $37.5 billion spent on the war to date, with some observers arguing the total may be higher.

There are lingering discrepancies in reporting, including whether the E-3 Sentry was destroyed or damaged and whether an HH-60W was damaged, reflecting ongoing uncertainty and possible classification issues.

The losses raise concerns about capability gaps in other theaters due to aging, high-demand platforms and potential constraints in the defense industrial base for rapid replacement.

CRS cautions that totals may not reflect destroyed aircraft alone and that some damaged planes could return to service; counts will evolve with ongoing combat, classification, and attribution.

CRS has updated the tally to 81 aircraft lost or damaged since Operation Epic Fury began in late February, nearly doubling from May, with new additions tied to a September Iranian strike and other reports, including a higher count for MQ-9 Reapers.