U.S. military has lost roughly 25% of its Reaper drones as Iran war depletes arsenal

The U.S. military has suffered significant losses in its Reaper drones, with about 25% of the fleet destroyed or damaged amid ongoing conflict in the region surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. These costly aircraft, each priced at up to $50 million, have been heavily utilized but are particularly vulnerable to Iranian forces and their allies. This depletion highlights the strategic challenges and high stakes involved in maintaining a technological edge in such a volatile area, raising concerns about the military's ability to sustain operations without a sufficient drone reserve.