Khaberni - Iran downed two American Air Force fighter jets on Friday, in two separate incidents, one an "F-15" (F-15) and the other an "A-10 Warthog" (A-10 Warthog).
The loss of fighter jets in modern warfare is a strategic drain that goes beyond the military aspect to affect the depth of war operations, as the cost of replacing the aircraft and their advanced systems puts immense pressure on defense budgets and also on the reputation of the armament.
With the escalation of aerial confrontations, questions arise about the costly bill borne by the US Department of War (Pentagon) budget for the loss of fighters that represent a symbol of American air sovereignty, making the recent downing operations a painful blow to the American forces.
How much does an "F-15" cost?
The cost of an "F-15E Strike Eagle" (F-15E Strike Eagle) exceeds 31 million dollars, according to data reported by The Wall Street Journal from the US Air Force.
The newspaper noted that this price is calculated at the fixed prices of 1998, which means that its value would be higher at current prices.
The newspaper explained that the "F-15E Strike Eagle" was introduced in the 1980s, and was designed to perform both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.
The Wall Street Journal added that the cost of the newer models of the "F-15" approaches 100 million dollars, and they can fly at a speed of over 3,000 kilometers per hour and for a distance of nearly 4,000 kilometers.
Cost of the attack aircraft "A-10"
The other aircraft that was downed, the attack aircraft "A-10", also known as "Warthog", costs 9.8 million US dollars at the fixed prices of 1998, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The newspaper added that the Warthog is the first aircraft of the US Air Force specifically designed for close air support, capable of striking tanks, armored vehicles, and light naval targets.
It added that the Warthog is highly maneuverable at low speeds and at low altitudes, and can operate from short or rough runways, as it performs efficiently in conditions of poor visibility and bad weather.
The newspaper mentioned that the fighter is equipped with both guided and unguided munitions, and can also perform night operations using night vision goggles. Its maximum speed is 675.92 kilometers per hour, while its range is about 1287 kilometers.
A US official told The Hill that the American forces rescued one of the crew members of the "F-15", while the fate of the second crew member remains unknown to date.
The Department of War informed the House Armed Services Committee that the status of the second soldier is unknown, according to one of the aides working in Congress for "The Hill", while The New York Times reported that the Iranian army is also searching for the missing American soldier.
The Pentagon counts the losses
Since the beginning of the American-Israeli war on Iran on February 28th, a total of 365 American soldiers have been wounded, according to new figures published by the Pentagon.
Among them, 247 soldiers were from the ground forces, 63 from the navy, 19 from the marine corps, and 36 from the air force. According to the Pentagon, the number of American soldiers killed in the war remains 13.
CNN reported a Pentagon official as saying that over 75% of injuries in the ranks of the American military are related to traumatic brain injuries, a type of injury resulting from external force on the head, which includes symptoms like headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and loss of consciousness, and varies in severity depending on the strength of the impact.
