This tracker uses a three-phase cost model calibrated against published DoD cost data, CBO reports, and independent estimates from Brown University's Costs of War Project, the National Priorities Project, and Penn Wharton Budget Model.
Initial Strikes (Days 0–3): $280M–$520M/day (mid: $380M). Intensive standoff strikes, SEAD/DEAD, high sortie rates.
Sustained Operations (Days 3–10): $150M–$320M/day (mid: $220M). Continued strikes, ISR, air dominance.
Air Dominance / ISR-Heavy (Day 10+): $100M–$230M/day (mid: $155M). Reduced tempo, sustained presence.
One-time costs (munitions salvos, aircraft losses) are tracked separately and added to the operational burn rate at their recorded timestamps.
All figures are displayed as low–mid–high ranges. The mid estimate is used for the main counter. True costs are classified and will only be known years later through GAO audits and supplemental appropriation bills.
DoD Comptroller FY2024/25 reimbursable flight-hour rates · CBO June 2025 F-35 report · GAO aircraft sustainment reports · TRANSCOM airlift rates · Defense News ship operating costs · Brown University Costs of War Project · National Priorities Project (IPS) · USNI News Fleet Tracker · DLA Energy fuel prices · RTX Tomahawk production data · Penn Wharton Budget Model · Anadolou Agency · Al Jazeera · Fortune · Yahoo Finance