Kelly Grieco of the Stimson Center points out how quickly we would blow through half of our THAAD system with SM-3 interceptors if we deployed them to the Middle East against Iran and began firing at a rate we established last June:

3/THAAD daily firing: June tempo = 8–12/day Ready rounds (96):8/day → 12 days12/day → 8 days Reloads (~94–119):8/day → 12–15 days12/day → 8–10 days Total in-theater endurance: ~2.5–3.5 weeks (16–24 days) — Kelly Grieco (@ka_grieco) February 28, 2026

3/THAAD daily firing: June tempo = 8–12/day

Ready rounds (96):8/day → 12 days12/day → 8 days

Reloads (~94–119):8/day → 12–15 days12/day → 8–10 days

Total in-theater endurance: ~2.5–3.5 weeks (16–24 days)

— Kelly Grieco (@ka_grieco) February 28, 2026

It’s less than a month.

And remember, many people wanted these weapons systems to be sent and used by Ukraine already.

How long and deep of an engagement is Trump really betting on here?

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