The US military has lost at least 45 MQ-9 Reaper tactical unmanned aerial systems during its 2026 campaign against Iran, representing roughly 25 percent of its pre-war fleet.
The losses amount to more than $1.3 billion in aircraft costs, with individual Reapers valued between $30 million and $50 million depending on their sensor and weapons payload, US officials familiar with the matter told The Washington Post.
Throughout the so-called “Operation Epic Fury,” US forces have deployed the remotely piloted aircraft extensively around the Strait of Hormuz for scouting and precision strikes.
However, the Reapers’ low speeds and operating altitudes have left them vulnerable to Iranian air defenses and attacks by regional proxies in Iraq and Yemen.
Destroyed or Crashed
Not all Reapers in the tally were shot down. Insiders said an undisclosed number crashed following link failures between the aircraft and ground-based controllers.
US Air Force leadership has previously acknowledged concerns over the attrition, with the fleet falling to roughly 135 aircraft from the 185 MQ-9s operated by the service and the US Marine Corps before the conflict.
The figures cover both services, although the marine corps’ Reapers stationed in the Pacific suffered no losses.
During a congressional hearing in May, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach credited the MQ-9 with playing a major role in the campaign, calling it “perhaps the most valuable player” due to its ability to conduct high-utility missions without putting aircrews at risk.
Shrinking Reserves
The Reaper losses add to broader US inventory pressures. A late March update said US forces had expended more than 850 Tomahawk cruise missiles and 1,000 Patriot and THAAD interceptors during the first month of Epic Fury.
The White House has denied shortages, saying the military maintains “more than enough munitions,” despite the Pentagon seeking a $67-billion supplemental budget to replenish depleted materiel.
