ThePrint CutTheClutter: Aircraft, Radar systems, drones— What US has lost in Gulf war & lessons on aerial warfare
Mar 27, 2026
A deep dive into reported US aerial losses in the Gulf conflict, including dozens of drones, manned aircraft and damaged radar sites. Discussion of why radars are especially exposed and how that weakens missile defenses. A look at replacement costs, supply bottlenecks and debates over fixed versus mobile radar strategies.
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High Cost Of Drone Losses
- The US has lost about 20 aircraft in the Gulf war including over a dozen expensive MQ-9 Reaper drones.
- MQ-9 Reapers cost ~$16 million each and many were shot down or destroyed on the ground, making losses both costly and visible.
Radars Expose Their Own Location
- Radar systems are uniquely vulnerable because they must emit signals to function, revealing their location to adversaries.
- Once a radar is switched on an adversary can detect its radiation and target it with anti-radiation weapons.
Friendly Fire Shot Down Three F-15s
- Three F-15s were lost to friendly fire by a Kuwaiti F/A-18; all six crew members survived.
- Shekhar Gupta notes President Trump said the crews are alive and 'they are flying'.