The US-led military campaign against Iran has resulted in significant losses, with Tehran destroying nearly $1 billion worth of America's MQ-9 Reaper drones since the conflict began in February.
At least 24 MQ-9 Reapers, and possibly as many as 30, have been lost during the war, according to a person familiar with the matter cited by Bloomberg.
The losses amount to nearly 20 per cent of the Pentagon's prewar inventory of the high-value unmanned aircraft.
Many of the drones were reportedly shot down mid-flight by Iranian fire, while others were destroyed on the ground in missile strikes or lost in accidents during operations.
The MQ-9 Reaper has been one of the US military's most heavily used platforms during the conflict, equipped with high-powered surveillance systems and capable of carrying weapons.
Each drone costs roughly $30 million, making the cumulative losses particularly significant.
The setback is further compounded by the fact that Reapers are no longer manufactured for US forces, making replacements difficult.
