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doctrine-change2026-05-20 00:00 UTC🇺🇸 US Congress (House Armed Services Committee hearing), Washington, D.C., United States; discussion concerns operations over/against Iran
US Air Force highlights MQ-9 role in Operation Epic Fury and pushes manned-unmanned future
US Air Force leaders told Congress that MQ-9 Reapers were central to Operation Epic Fury against Iran and described unmanned systems as increasingly important. The article also reports 24 MQ-9 losses during the campaign and discusses FY27 funding for Collaborative Combat Aircraft and follow-on MQ-9 concepts.
Details
Type
doctrine-change
Occurred
2026-05-20 00:00
Reported
2026-05-21
Location
US Congress (House Armed Services Committee hearing), Washington, D.C., United States; discussion concerns operations over/against Iran
Coordinates
38.8951, -77.0364
Confidence
72 / 100
Damage assessment
Reported loss of 24 MQ-9 Reaper aircraft during Operation Epic Fury; broader toll cited as 42 US aircraft lost or damaged; estimated up to $1.2B in MQ-9 airframes destroyed (per quoted cost estimate).