Congress released a list of 42 US military aircraft reported lost, damaged, or destroyed during the Iran war, based on information from the Pentagon, Central Command, and news reports. The Defense Department estimated the total cost of the losses at $2.6 billion.
One of the most expensive aircraft damaged during the war was an E-3 Sentry surveillance plane, which was hit by an Iranian drone and missile attack in Saudi Arabia. Each aircraft originally cost the Air Force about $270 million.
Other destroyed or damaged aircraft include the F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, MQ-4C Triton spy drone, and the A-10 Warthog, among others.
In the report, Congress said it was “unclear” whether the Defense Department had provided it with an accounting of all the lost aircraft, information with a budgetary impact that may be essential to Congress’ oversight role.
