When the Iran war began on February 28, the U.S. military had approximately 185 Reaper drones in its fleet, including 165 operated by the Air Force and 20 by the Marine Corps, according to the report.
It has lost at least 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones, accounting for roughly 25 percent of its operational fleet, according to three U.S. officials who spoke to The Washington Post Thursday.
Notably, not all 45 losses were attributed to enemy fire. One U.S. official told the Post that an unspecified number of the drones crashed after operators lost communication links with the aircraft, suggesting some losses resulted from technical failure rather than direct attack.
The drones, which cost between $30 million and $50 million each depending on their sensor and weapons configuration, are used for surveillance and targeted strikes. The losses represent a potential taxpayer cost exceeding $1.3 billion, the Post reported.
The Reaper drones proved most vulnerable in the Strait of Hormuz region. The aircraft operate at relatively low altitudes and at low speeds, making them visible and accessible targets for Iranian air defense systems.
Although the Pentagon declined to comment on the figures, the U.S. Air Force is reportedly considering rapid replenishment of its fleet following the substantial attrition in the Iran conflict.
