--- title: "US military lost 81 aircraft in Iran war, report says" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/conflict/us-military-lost-81-aircraft-in-iran-war-report-says" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/us-military-lost-81-aircraft-in-iran-war-report-says" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/conflict/us-military-lost-81-aircraft-in-iran-war-report-says.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/us-military-lost-81-aircraft-in-iran-war-report-says" category: "Conflict & Security" area: "Middle East" published: "2026-10-07T12:05:28.692Z" source_reported: "2026-10-07T11:48:07.000Z" updated: "2026-10-07T12:05:28.692Z" trust_score: 60 critic_score: 55 hype_score: 45 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-10-07T13:00:36.115508+00:00" --- # US military lost 81 aircraft in Iran war, report says *Congressional Research Service report details losses valued at $3.3 billion and $38 billion in operational costs.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 60 of 100, higher is better. The central claim is attributed to the Congressional Research Service, and 22 outlets corroborate this. - Craft 55 of 100, higher is better. The reporting is clear, but lacks quotes from affected parties or details on what happens next. - Hype 45 of 100, lower is better. Headlines use loaded language like 'nightmare' and 'shocking numbers' but the body is factual. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - 81 US military aircraft have been damaged or destroyed since military strikes against Iran began on February 28. - The total estimated value of the lost or damaged aircraft is $3.3 billion. - The Department of Defense spent about $38 billion on the Iran war over five months ending August 1. - The Congressional Research Service report compiled figures from news reports, the Department of Defense, and the DoD inspector general. A report from the Congressional Research Service (CRS) states that 81 US military aircraft have been damaged or destroyed since the United States and Israel launched military strikes against Iran on February 28. The total value of these losses is estimated at $3.3 billion. The CRS report compiled these figures from news reports, the Department of Defense, and the DoD inspector general. The damaged or destroyed aircraft include 12 F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets, two A-10 Thunderbolt attack aircraft, seven KC-135 tankers, one E-3 Sentry airborne early warning aircraft, one MQ-4C Triton surveillance drone, and 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones. A Pentagon oversight body report from September 14 also indicated significant losses to US military bases and diplomatic facilities, with hundreds of buildings and other facilities damaged. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the Department of Defense had spent approximately $38 billion on the Iran war over the five months ending August 1. Congress is considering funding requests to repair or replace the damaged aircraft and is assessing the war's impact on US equipment, tactics, and base deployment. ## Disagreement on specific aircraft types While most reports agree on the total number of 81 aircraft lost or damaged, specific breakdowns vary. The CGTN report, citing the CRS, lists 12 F-15E Strike Eagles, two A-10 Thunderbolts, seven KC-135 tankers, one E-3 Sentry, one MQ-4C Triton, and 45 MQ-9 Reapers. However, Korrespondent.net, also citing the CRS, states the US lost 25 aircraft, 49 drones, and seven helicopters. ## What the coverage left out None of the centre-rated reports mentioned the number of US military aircraft damaged or destroyed in the Iran war. The left-rated reports did not include the specific breakdown of aircraft types provided by Korrespondent.net. The right-rated reports did not mention the $38 billion in Defence Department spending on the war, nor did they detail the Pentagon oversight body's findings on damage to US military bases and diplomatic facilities. ## Who covered it Shares of the 12 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 17% (2) - Centre: 25% (3) - Right: 58% (7) 25 of 37 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-10-07T13:00:36.115508+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 7 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-10-07T13:45:07.658Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - The left-rated reports led with the total number of US military aircraft damaged or destroyed in the Iran war. CGTN and Cumhuriyet both highlighted the figure of 81 aircraft. CGTN's full report detailed the specific types of aircraft lost, including 12 F-15E Strike Eagles and 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones, and noted the estimated cost of $3.3 billion. Both outlets mentioned the Pentagon oversight body's report on facility damage and the Congressional Budget Office's estimate of $38 billion in Defence Department spending. ### Centre No separate framing summary. ### Right - The right-rated reports focused on the headline figure of 81 US aircraft lost or damaged and the associated cost. India Today and PressTV both stated the losses amounted to $3.3 billion. NDTV specifically listed the number of F-15E jets (12) and MQ-9 drones (45) within the total of 81 aircraft. Korrespondent.net also reported on the CRS data, stating the US lost 25 aircraft, 49 drones, and seven helicopters. **Provisional coverage gap:** left. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - veryLow: 1 - low: 1 - mixed: 5 - high: 5 - unknown: 25 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [RayHaber](https://rayhaber.com/2026/10/iran-savasinda-abdnin-hava-gucu-kayiplari-33-milyar-dolara-ulasti) — U.S. Air Force Losses in the Iran War Reached $3.3 Billion. - [sawaleif.com](https://sawaleif.com/%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D9%84%D9%84%D9%83%D9%88%D9%86%D8%BA%D8%B1%D8%B3-%D8%AE%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%B1-%D8%A3%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%B1%D9%83%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%AD%D8%B1%D8%A8-%D8%A5%D9%8A-1112233) — Congressional Report: American Casualties in Iran War in Excess of 80 Aircraft and Helicopters - [haberglobal.com](https://haberglobal.com/gundem/81-ucak-ve-43-milyar-dolarlik-kayip-iran-savasi-abd-savunmasini-asindirdi-547644) — 81 Aircraft and $43 Billion in Losses: The Iran War Has Eroded US Defenses. - [The CSR Journal](https://thecsrjournal.in/us-military-loses-81-aircraft-and-drones-worth-3-3-billion-in-iran-conflict) — US Military Loses 81 Aircraft and Drones Worth $3.3 Billion in Iran Conflict - [Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd](https://asianetnews.com/international-news/us-lost-81-military-aircraft-worth-330-crore-dollar-in-iran-war-congressional-research-service-report-articleshow-s0oufsl) — Heavy Losses for the United States in the War with Iran; 81 Military Aircraft Crashed, Losses of $330 Million - [madhyamam.com](https://madhyamam.com/world/us-loses-81-fighter-jets-drones-in-iran-war-33-billion-loss-1561294) — US Loses 81 Fighter Jets, Drones in Iran War; $3.3 Billion Loss - [Goemkarponn - Goa News](https://goemkarponn.com/us-lost-or-damaged-81-military-aircraft-worth-3-3-billion-in-iran-war) — US Lost or Damaged 81 Military Aircraft Worth $3.3 Billion in Iran War - Goemkarponn - [Mathrubhumi](https://mathrubhumi.com/news/world/us-military-losses-iran-war-crs-report-gej4igsg) — War with Iran; America Lost 81 Military Aircraft and Drones, Costing $3.3 Billion - [parismatch.com](https://parismatch.com/actu/international/perte-de-33-milliards-de-dollars-81-avions-endommages-le-lourd-bilan-materiel-de-larmee-americaine-depuis-la-guerre-en-iran-277042) — Loss of $3.3 Billion, 81 Aircraft Damaged: the US Army's Heavy Material Balance Since the War in Iran - [India Today](https://indiatoday.in/world/story/us-military-aircraft-losses-iran-war-81-planes-drones-helicopters-3-3-billion-report-3011603-2026-10-07) — US loses 81 aircraft, drones worth $3.3 billion in Iran war, says report - [Aydınlık](https://aydinlik.com.tr/haber/abd-ordusuna-iran-savasinda-agir-fatura-593372) — The US Military Pays a Heavy Price in the War with Iran. - [yenicaggazetesi.com](https://yenicaggazetesi.com/abd-ordusu-kabusu-yasiyor-gizli-raporda-rekor-fatura-1079431h.htm) — The US Military Is Facing a Nightmare: Record Bill Revealed in a Secret Report. - [thepamphlet.in](https://thepamphlet.in/81-us-aircraft-hit-during-the-iran-war-why-the-american-reaction-is-so-different-to-reaction-in-india-to-rumours-of-the-loss-of-a-rafale-during-operation-sindoor) — 81 US Aircraft hit during the Iran war: Why the American reaction is so different to reaction in India to rumours of the loss of a Rafale during Operation Sindoor - [A Haber](https://ahaber.com.tr/galeri/dunya/iran-savasinda-abdnin-hava-gucu-kayiplari) — The War with Iran Hit the US Hard! A Secret Report on the Cost of the War Is Staggering. - [TFIGlobal](https://tfiglobalnews.com/2026/10/07/us-aircraft-losses-in-iran-war-81-jets-drones-and-helicopters-hit) — US Aircraft Losses in Iran War: 81 Jets, Drones and Helicopters Hit - [PressTV](https://presstv.co.uk/Detail/2026/10/07/777794/US-military-loses-81-aircraft-worth--3-3-war-Iran--Report) — US lost 81 aircraft worth up to $3.3 billion in war against Iran: Report - [globalnewspakistan](https://globalnewspakistan.com/81-us-aircraft-lost-or-damaged-in-iran-war) — Report Shows 81 US Aircraft Lost or Damaged in Iran War - [Roze News](https://rozenews.com.pk/archives/172113) — Iran Crushed American Pride, 81 Military Aircraft Were Hit in the War - [Báo điện tử Dân Trí](https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/my-mat-bao-nhieu-may-bay-quan-su-trong-cuoc-chien-voi-iran-20261007150056416.htm) — How Many Military Aircraft Did the US Lose in the War with Iran? - [NDTV](https://ndtv.com/world-news/12-f-15e-jets-45-mq-9-drones-us-lost-81-military-aircraft-worth-3-3-billion-in-iran-war-12150165) — 12 F-15E Jets, 45 MQ-9 Drones: US Lost 81 Military Aircraft Worth $3.3 Billion In Iran War - [Republika Online](https://news.republika.co.id/berita/tmj185409/terungkap-data-81-pesawat-as-rusak-dan-hancur-dibom-iran) — Data Revealed Shows 81 US Aircraft Damaged or Destroyed by Iranian Bombings - [dunya.com](https://dunya.com/dunya/abd-ordusuna-iran-savasinda-agir-fatura-f-35-de-reaper-da-var-haberi-842919) — The US Military Is Paying a Heavy Price in the War with Iran: Both F-35s and Reapers Are Included - Dünya Newspaper - [Korrespondent.net](https://korrespondent.net/world/4917942-skolko-avyatsyy-poterialy-ssha-v-konflykte-s-yranom-dannye-konhressa) — How Many Aircraft Lost US in Conflict with Iran: Congressional Data - [SINDOnews.com](https://international.sindonews.com/read/1757875/42/as-akui-81-pesawat-militer-jatuh-selama-perang-iran-1791357013) — US Admits 81 Military Aircraft Downed During Iran War - [CGTN](https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-10-07/81-US-military-aircraft-damaged-or-destroyed-in-Iran-war-1R2H1oeVf4Q/p.html) — Congressional report: 81 US military aircraft damaged or destroyed in Iran war - [Cumhuriyet](https://cumhuriyet.com.tr/dunya/abd-nin-iran-savasindaki-kayiplari-aciklandi-81-askeri-hava-araci-kayip-veya-hasarli-2544463) — US Losses in the Iran War Announced: 81 Military Aircraft Lost or Damaged. - [Liner.hu](https://liner.hu/usa-amerikai-hadsereg-iran-vesztesegek) — Shocking Numbers From Iran – the US Has Lost at Least 81 Aircraft - [Hindustan Times](https://hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/iran-war-cost-us-81-planes-drones-and-helicopters-worth-3-3-billion-see-full-list-of-us-aircraft-lost-or-damaged-101791354410889.html) — Iran war cost US 81 planes, drones and helicopters worth $3.3 billion; see full list of US aircraft lost or damaged - [dailythedestination.com](https://dailythedestination.com/us-aircraft-losses-reach-81-in-iran-war-congressional-report-finds) — US Aircraft Losses Reach 81 in Iran War, Congressional Report Finds - THE DESTINATION - [news-pravda.com](https://news-pravda.com/world/2026/10/07/2646235.html) — US has lost or damaged at least 81 military aircraft in the Iran war - [The Sunday Guardian Live](https://sundayguardianlive.com/world/us-israel-iran-war-latest-live-news-us-military-lost-or-damaged-81-aircraft-drones-and-helicopters-in-iran-war-replacement-costs-could-reach-33-billion-300509) — US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: US Military Lost Or Damaged 81 Aircraft, Drones And Helicopters In Iran War; Replacement Costs Could Reach $3.3 Billion - [Al Arabiya](https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2026/10/07/us-aircraft-losses-in-iran-operations-reach-81-congressional-report-says) — US aircraft losses in Iran operations reach 81, congressional report says - [bankingnews.gr](https://bankingnews.gr/index.php?id=903702) — "We Will Finish the Job in Iran" - Fiasco: 81 US Planes and Drones Destroyed - Foreign Affairs: Victory Is a Myth - [Interfax.ru](https://interfax.ru/world/1120759) — USAF Has Lost 25 Aircraft and About 50 Drones Since the Outbreak of the Conflict with Iran - [New York Post](https://nypost.com/2026/10/06/us-news/us-military-has-lost-81-planes-drones-and-helicopters-worth-3-3-billion-in-iran-war-report) — US military has lost 81 planes, drones and helicopters worth $3.3 billion in Iran war: report - [aerotime.aero](https://aerotime.aero/articles/us-aircraft-losses-iran-operations-congressional-report) — Congressional report lists 81 US aircraft lost or damaged in Iran war - [USNI News](https://news.usni.org/2026/10/06/report-to-congress-on-u-s-aircraft-combat-losses-in-operation-epic-fury-2) — Report to Congress on U.S. Aircraft Combat Losses in Operation Epic Fury ## Questions **How many US military aircraft were lost or damaged in the Iran war?** According to a Congressional Research Service report, 81 US military aircraft have been damaged or destroyed since the United States and Israel launched military strikes against Iran on February 28. This figure includes various types of fighter jets, attack aircraft, tankers, surveillance drones, and other military aircraft. **What is the estimated financial cost of these aircraft losses?** The total estimated value of the 81 lost or damaged US military aircraft is $3.3 billion. This figure encompasses a range of aircraft types, from fighter jets to drones, highlighting the significant material cost of the conflict for the US military. **How much has the US Department of Defense spent on the Iran war?** The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the Department of Defense had spent approximately $38 billion on the Iran war over the five months ending August 1. This figure represents the operational costs associated with the conflict. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/conflict/us-military-lost-81-aircraft-in-iran-war-report-says. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "US military lost 81 aircraft in Iran war, report says", https://mediabias.news/conflict/us-military-lost-81-aircraft-in-iran-war-report-says