Washington: The United States reportedly suffered significant aerial losses during its military campaign against Iran, with at least 42 aircraft either destroyed or damaged during Operation Epic Fury, according to a newly released Congressional Research Service (CRS) assessment.
The operation, launched on February 28, targeted key Iranian military and strategic installations and has since emerged as one of Washington’s costliest modern military offensives.
According to the report, the losses include several high-value combat and surveillance platforms. Among the affected aircraft were four F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets, one advanced F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter, and an A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft.
The report also lists substantial support aircraft damage, including seven KC-135 Stratotanker refuelling planes and one E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control aircraft. Two MC-130J Commando II special operations aircraft and an HH-60W Jolly Green II rescue helicopter were also reportedly impacted.
Unmanned systems accounted for the largest portion of losses. The CRS noted that 24 MQ-9 Reaper drones and one MQ-4C Triton surveillance drone were either shot down or sustained severe operational damage during the conflict.
Officials cautioned that the total number may still change, citing classified information, active battlefield assessments and the difficulty of confirming attribution during ongoing military evaluations.
The Congressional Research Service compiled its findings using open-source intelligence, defence department disclosures and statements issued by US Central Command.
The financial burden of the operation has also escalated sharply. During testimony before the House Appropriations Subcommittee earlier this month, Acting Pentagon Comptroller Jules W. Hurst III said the estimated cost of military operations tied to the Iran campaign has climbed to nearly 29 billion dollars.
Hurst stated that a major portion of the revised figure reflects updated calculations for repairing or replacing critical military assets damaged in combat.
Operation Epic Fury marked one of the most intense periods of direct military confrontation between Washington and Tehran in recent years, with defence analysts warning that the scale of losses highlights the growing vulnerability of advanced aerial systems in contested combat zones.
