A new report published by the US Congress has revealed significant losses suffered by the American military in the field of military aviation during the ongoing war with Iran. Since the start of Operation Epic Fury, it has been announced that 42 US military aircraft have been shot down, destroyed, or severely damaged.
“Elchi” reports that the report states that the aircraft lost as a result of friendly fire and combat operations include F-15 fighter jets, an F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter, MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles, and an HH-60W Jolly Green II search-and-rescue helicopter.
The Pentagon has increased its projections for repair and replacement costs in the region from $25 billion to $29 billion.
The financial value of the losses amounts to billions of dollars
According to the Congressional report, the inventory of 42 aircraft lost or damaged in the conflicts is listed as follows:
4 F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets
1 F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter jet
1 A-10 Thunderbolt II close air support aircraft
7 KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueling aircraft
1 E-3 Sentry AWACS early warning and surveillance aircraft
2 MC-130J Commando II transport aircraft
1 HH-60W Jolly Green II search and rescue helicopter
24 MQ-9 Reaper UAVs
1 MQ-4C Triton high-altitude surveillance UAV
Noting that the value of a single F-35A aircraft is approximately $110 million, the report states that the total value of the 4 lost F-15E aircraft, taking inflation into account, is nearly $300 million. It was reported that three of the lost F-15s crashed during “friendly fire” over Kuwait on March 2, and the fourth was shot down during operations in Iran on April 5. In addition, it is estimated that the replacement of the 7 KC-135 refueling aircraft that crashed in friendly airspace could reach approximately $1.8 billion.
It was also reported that one of these aircraft crashed in Iraq, and all 6 crew members on board were killed.
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