Aerospace Group:

Air Force

Conventional Wisdom On S-300 Effectiveness Called Into Question

Frank Wolfe

Tuesday, January 6th, 2026

SHARE:

Conventional Wisdom On S-300 Effectiveness Called Into Question

Pictured is a U.S. Air Force photo of three F-35A fighters with the 356th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron flying in formation before aerial refueling over the Pacific Ocean on Dec. 11, 2025.

Conventional defense wisdom has held that Russian-made long-range S-300 surface-to-air missiles (SAM) pose significant threats to U.S. military aircraft, including the Lockheed Martin [LMT] F-35 stealth fighter, yet the Jan. 3 U.S. operation in Venezuela and one in October 2024 by Israel against Iran have taken air out of the S-300's sails. Nearly a year ago, Lockheed Martin CEO Jim Taiclet pointed to the F-35I's destruction of Iranian air defenses, which included S-300 sites, in October 2024 (Defense Daily, Jan.…

Congress

Trump Wants Second Reconciliation Bill On His Desk By June 1

President Donald Trump on Wednesday called on Congress to pass and send a second reconciliation bill to his desk by June 1. The deadline follows congressional Republicans’ backing a pursuit […]

Space

Upgrading Current GPS Ground System “Now a Viable Option,” As GPS OCX Problems Continue, Space Official Says

Upgrades to the GPS ground system–the Architecture Evolution Plan (AEP)–is an option under consideration by the Defense Department’s space acquisition chief, as problems continue in fielding the GPS Next Generation […]

Congress

Graham Says GOP To Move Ahead On Second Reconciliation Bill, With Defense Funds As Priority

Senate Budget Committee Chair Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said Wednesday, with the White House’s backing, his panel will move “expeditiously” on crafting a second reconciliation bill, citing priorities for defense and […]

Pentagon

Hegseth Acknowledges Potential $200 Billion Iran Supplemental Request, Final Figure ‘Could Move’

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday acknowledged the Pentagon could potentially ask Congress for $200 billion in supplemental funding to support the ongoing operation against Iran and replenish munitions used […]