Quick Read
- The U.S. military experienced significant aircraft losses during the Operation Epic Fury 2026 campaign.
- Advanced fighter jets like the F-35 and F-15E, along with support aircraft such as the E-3 Sentry AWACS, were reportedly destroyed or damaged.
- The operation resulted in the loss of at least 17 MQ-9 Reaper UCAVs and damage to multiple KC-135 tankers and HH-60W helicopters.
ERBIL (Azat TV) – The U.S. military sustained substantial aircraft losses during Operation Epic Fury 2026, a multi-week campaign that concluded on April 3rd. Reports indicate a range of aircraft, from advanced fighter jets to vital support platforms, were destroyed or damaged, primarily in engagements involving Iranian air defense systems and forces. The operation, which ran from February 28th to April 3rd, appears to have come at a significant material cost for the United States Air Force.
Significant Fighter Jet Losses Reported
Among the most concerning losses are advanced fighter aircraft. One F-35 Lightning II, with a unit cost of approximately $110 million, was reportedly hit and damaged by an Iranian surface-to-air missile (SAM). The F-15E Strike Eagle also suffered considerable attrition, with three jets shot down over Kuwait and an additional one lost over Iran. The F-15E has a unit cost of around $90 million.
Support and Attack Aircraft Also Affected
The U.S. also reported losses among its attack and support aircraft. An A-10 Thunderbolt II, valued at $18.8 million per unit, was shot down by an Iranian SAM. The E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft, a critical intelligence and command platform, was destroyed at PSAB. The estimated cost for an E-3 Sentry is now around $700 million, reflecting its advanced capabilities and age.
Extensive Drone and Helicopter Losses
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UCAVs) and helicopters also featured prominently in the reported losses. At least 17 MQ-9 Reaper UCAVs, each costing approximately $30 million, were reportedly destroyed. The KC-135 Stratotanker, a vital aerial refueling asset with a unit cost of $40 million, suffered significant damage, with at least two destroyed and five damaged. Additionally, two HH-60W helicopters, valued at $20 million each, were damaged over Iran.
The scale of these reported losses, particularly the destruction of 17 MQ-9 Reapers, suggests a significant challenge to U.S. air superiority and intelligence-gathering capabilities in the region, potentially necessitating a substantial recapitalization effort and a review of operational tactics against advanced air defense networks.