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Military Aviation News

FACTBOX - Iran war: US military aircraft damage and losses

04/08/2026

The American forces have seen multiple aircraft damaged in the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran, including fighter jets, drones, refueling tankers and helicopters, in incidents ranging from combat losses to accidents and strikes across the region, according to US authorities and media reports.

Ukraine slashes fighter jet upgrade timelines to one month to counter Shahed drone threat

Ukraine will cut the time needed to upgrade weapons and systems on its fighter jets to just one month, in a move aimed at countering Russian Shahed-type drone attacks. The Ukrainian government has taken the step to simplify the process of upgrading Ukrainian aircraft to counter Russian one-way attack drones. Ukraine’s Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko posted on X (formerly Twitter), noting that the country is consistently adapting and innovating its procedures to the realities of war.

The F-22 Raptor Stealth Fighter Costs $85,000 Every Hour It Flies. The Air Force Just Spent $11 Billion To Keep It In The Air. Here’s Why.

The F-22’s New Fuel Tanks Don’t Have to Be Dropped Before Combat — That Single Change Adds 850 Nautical Miles of Range and Solves the Raptor’s Biggest Weakness . The US Air Force’s fifth-generation fighter, the F-22 Raptor, remains the world’s stealthiest aircraft. Introduced in 2005, it is the world’s first mass-produced fifth-generation fighter jet and has been a cornerstone of the US Air Force’s air superiority strategy.

Uncrewed combat aircraft flight testing paused after take-off incident

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has paused flight testing of its YFQ-42A uncrewed combat aircraft after one of the production-representative test platforms experienced a mishap shortly after take-off from a company-owned airport in the California desert.

Indonesia to get first KF-21 fighter jet from South Korea

South Korea and Indonesia tentatively agreed to transfer one KF-21 prototype valued at 600 billion won once Jakarta completes full payment by June. he transfer includes the fifth single-seat prototype previously used in radar and aerial refueling verification tests.

Taiwan tracks 9 Chinese ships, 1 military aircraft

The Ministry of National Defense tracked eight Chinese naval vessels, one military aircraft, and one official ship around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Monday and 6 a.m. on Tuesday. The People’s Liberation Army aircraft entered the country’s southwestern air defense identification zone, according to the MND. In response, Taiwan deployed aircraft, naval ships, and coastal-based missile systems to monitor PLA activity.

U.S. Requests 38 F-35As for Air Force in New Budget Proposal Under 85-Aircraft Plan to Reinforce Stealth Power

In April 2026, the FY2027 Procurement Programs P-1 document confirmed that the U.S. Air Force is set to receive 38 F-35A Lightning II fighters under the new defense budget request, placing the aircraft once again at the center of American tactical airpower planning.

How US operation to rescue air officer from Iran unfolded

United States President Donald Trump has announced that the US military has rescued a missing American fighter jet crew member in Iran. The Air Force officer went missing in a remote part of Iran after the downing of his F-15 jet on Friday. Its two crew members ejected from the plane. The pilot was quickly rescued by US forces, but a search had to be launched for the F-15’s weapons systems officer.

Air Force wants almost $1B to buy first CCA drones in 2027

The Trump administration released a record-breaking $1.5 trillion defense budget proposal Friday, comprising $1.15 trillion of discretionary funds for FY27 and $350 billion from a future reconciliation bill. The request would allocate $30.6 billion in total for Air Force aircraft procurement, which for the first time includes the CCA program.

Footage emerges of three US military aircraft destroyed in Iran

US military loses seventh aircraft in ongoing West Asia conflict

Russian Su-30 fighter crashes in occupied Crimea — fourth Russian military aircraft loss in four days

‘Safe and sound’: How a U.S. Airman Shot Down in Iran Was Rescued From a Mountain Crevice

US Forces have rescued missing crew member of F-15E jet downed by Iran in daring mission, intense fighting: reports

How the US military rescues pilots after aircraft losses in combat

Second US combat aircraft crashes in Persian Gulf area, pilot rescued - Media

US F-15E fighter jet shot down over Iran

Guard, Reserve Leaders Flag Concern over Recapitalizing Fighter Fleet

Italy turns away Middle East-bound US military aircraft from Sicily stopover

WORLD: Air Warfare Symposium 2026