Baku:The United States military has experienced substantial losses in its fleet of fighter jets and drones during the ongoing conflict with Iran, totaling 82 aircraft.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, among the losses are 12 F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft. This includes three fighter-bombers accidentally shot down in Kuwaiti airspace on March 2, 2026, and one F-15 destroyed by air defense systems over Iranian territory on April 3, 2026. Additionally, eight other Strike Eagles were damaged on the ground in September from Iranian strikes on a U.S. airbase in Jordan.

The U.S. also lost two MC-130J Commando II transport aircraft, which were destroyed on April 4 during a search-and-rescue operation. This incident also resulted in the destruction of four AH-6/MH-6 light helicopters.

For the first time in the history of the U.S. Air Force, an E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft was destroyed at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia on the night of March 28. On March 19, 2026, an F-35A Lightning II was severely damaged over central Iran by an Iranian air defense missile. The pilot managed to land the aircraft, but the fate of the F-35 remains uncertain.

The U.S. fleet of MQ-9 Reaper drones has been significantly reduced, with more than 45 aircraft lost. Each of these drones costs the U.S. budget $30 million. Additionally, a high-altitude MQ-4C Triton drone, valued at $240 million, was destroyed. With the ongoing conflict in the Gulf region, further losses are anticipated.