A report by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) indicates that at least 81 United States military aircraft have been lost or damaged during Operation Epic Fury, the military campaign against Iran that began on February 28, 2026. The estimated cost of these losses ranges from $1.9 billion to $3.3 billion as of August 1, 2026. The report highlights the ongoing financial implications of the conflict, which has entered its eighth month without a ceasefire.
Harlan Ullman, a former naval officer and chairman of the Killowen Group, commented on the situation, stating, "The asymmetries of warfare show that even small countries with small militaries can inflict damage on the world’s best militaries." He noted that Iran has successfully targeted US military hardware and bases in the Middle East. The report details specific losses, including 12 F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets, one F-35A Lightning II jet, and 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones.
Ullman attributed some vulnerabilities to the evolving nature of warfare, particularly the effectiveness of low-cost drones. He referenced the ongoing conflict in Ukraine as an example of how smaller military forces can challenge larger adversaries through drone warfare.
Concerns about drone attacks have also led to the relocation of US aircraft from bases in the UK. Ullman remarked on the impact of drone threats on military operations, citing examples from both the Iran conflict and the Ukraine war.
The rising costs of the Iran war have prompted scrutiny from Congress, particularly from Democrats. Earlier this year, President Donald Trump’s administration requested $1.5 trillion in defense spending for fiscal year 2027, citing war-related expenses. A letter from 45 Senate Democrats and one independent to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called for detailed accounting of the war’s costs, highlighting the financial burden on American taxpayers.
In a separate report, the CBO estimated that the total cost of the war with Iran has reached approximately $38 billion as of August 1, 2026. The Pentagon has not provided further comments on the reported losses or their budgetary implications. Polls suggest that the war is unpopular among US voters, and analysts are considering how rising costs might influence the upcoming midterm elections. However, Ullman expressed skepticism that the report would significantly affect voter sentiment, suggesting that many Americans might view the losses as expected in a military operation.