A U.S. surveillance aircraft, the E-3 Sentry, was destroyed in a missile strike at Prince Sultan Air Base, injuring multiple American troops and escalating tensions with Iran.

The aircraft is a critical airborne warning and control system used to track drones, missiles, and aircraft over long distances, and its loss is significant due to the limited number still in service.

Experts say the destruction weakens U.S. situational awareness in the Gulf region, as only a small fleet remains and replacements are costly and still being introduced.

The strike was part of a larger Iranian attack involving missiles and drones, contributing to a growing number of U.S. casualties and damage to military assets, the Daily Mail has reported.

As the conflict intensifies, the U.S. has increased its military presence in the region, raising concerns about broader regional instability and impacts on global energy supplies.