🇺🇸🇮🇷 US aircraft losses in war on Iran nearly double - drones take biggest hit

The US has now lost or damaged 81 military aircraft since launching Operation Epic Fury against Iran, according to an updated Congressional Research Service (CRS) report - nearly twice the 42 counted in May.

The revised tally includes newly reported helicopter losses, aircraft damaged in Iranian retaliatory strikes on bases in Saudi Arabia and Jordan, and a sharp increase in downed MQ-9 Reaper drones.

The losses are hitting some of the military’s scarce, high-value platforms:

🔴 45 lost MQ-9 Reapers - up from as many as 30 through June

🔴 7 KC-135 tankers - 5 damaged by Iranian strike on Prince Sultan Air Base

🔴 a Boeing E-3 Sentry (AWACS) - hit at the same base

🔴 damaged F-35A, F-15Es, A-10s and rescue helicopters

🔴 downed AH-64 Apache

🔴 4 AH-6 Little Birds and two MC-130Js destroyed during operation to recover US aircrews inside Iran

The growing losses are also driving up the bill.

👉 The Congressional Budget Office estimates Operation Epic Fury cost the Pentagon about $38 billion through Aug. 1, including up to $3.3 billion to replace lost equipment.

The White House has sought another $67.1 billion for the Pentagon, but Congress has yet to approve the emergency request.

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