{"id":154222,"date":"2026-08-14T18:01:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-14T12:31:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=154222"},"modified":"2026-08-14T15:19:03","modified_gmt":"2026-08-14T09:49:03","slug":"iran-war-wipes-out-1-3-billion-worth-of-the-worlds-most-dangerous-drone-fleet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/14\/iran-war-wipes-out-1-3-billion-worth-of-the-worlds-most-dangerous-drone-fleet\/","title":{"rendered":"Iran War Wipes Out $1.3 Billion Worth of the World\u2019s Most Dangerous Drone Fleet"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON, D.C.-<\/strong> The US military<\/a> has lost at least 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones during the war with Iran, roughly 25% of its fleet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The losses have added pressure to US military inventories as American forces use large numbers of missiles around the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route and major flash point in the conflict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: picryl<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

MQ-9 Reaper Losses Put Pressure on US Drone Fleet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Three US officials familiar with the matter said at least 45 Reapers have been lost. A fourth official said not all were shot down. An unspecified number crashed after operators lost communications links with the drones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Reaper is used for surveillance and targeted strikes and can cost $30 million to $50 million, depending on its sensors and weapons. The potential taxpayer cost of the reported losses exceeds $1.3 billion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drones have been heavily used around the Strait of Hormuz, where their slow speed and low-altitude operations make them relatively easy targets for Iran and its proxies in Yemen and Iraq.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before the conflict, the US military had about 185 Reapers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n