More than 40 US military aircraft have been lost or damaged since the start of the war with Iran, according to a Congressional report. Operation Epic Fury has resulted in the destruction of 42 aircraft, including F-15 fighter jets, an F-35 Lightning II, drones, and a HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter, due to incidents such as friendly fire and combat operations.
The F-35A Lightning II alone is worth around $110m, while a single F-15 Strike Eagle is valued between $65m and $70m when adjusted for inflation. Four F-15s have been destroyed, including three shot down by friendly fire over Kuwait on 2 March and a fourth downed during combat in Iran on 5 April, costing nearly $300m. Seven KC-135 Stratotanker refuelling aircraft crashed over friendly airspace, with replacement costs estimated at $1.8bn.
The report notes that the Pentagon has revised its estimates for repair and replacement costs from $25bn to $29bn. The 42 aircraft include four F-15E Strike Eagles, one F-35A, one A-10 Thunderbolt II, seven KC-135s, one E-3 Sentry, two MC-130J Commandos, one HH-60W, 24 MQ-9 Reaper drones, and one MQ-4C Triton drone. Replacement costs are estimated at around $7bn.
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi mocked the US over the report, stating: 'Months after initiation of war on Iran, US Congress acknowledges loss of dozens of aircraft worth billions. Our powerful Armed Forces are confirmed as first to strike down a touted F-35.' President Donald Trump launched strikes on Iran on 28 February, killing supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and sparking region-wide unrest.
The congressional report advises that aircraft losses could generate unplanned costs for replacement, repair, or sustainment, and suggests Congress may consider adjustments to future budgets. US intelligence reports indicate Iran is rebuilding its military industrial base faster than expected, having restarted drone production and replaced missile sites.
