On January 7, the U.S. Army made another step forward in integrating new long-range strike capabilities with its new Typhon missile launch system. Specifically, the 5th Battalion of the 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, part of the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF), conducted a firing exercise using the new system with organic sensors and shooters. Additionally, the first maritime transport of the system was carried out for deployment in an operational area.

The Mid-Range Capability (MRC), also known as Typhon, is considered one of the pillars of the future ground attack capability of the U.S. Army’s Multi-Domain Task Forces. These forces will also have access to the Dark Eagle hypersonic missiles and the new Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) short-range ballistic missiles. The MRC can deploy a wide array of missiles, including SM-6 anti-aircraft missiles and Tomahawk land-attack missiles, with a design based on the Mk 41 Vertical Launch Systems (VLS) used by the U.S. Navy.

The Typhon system can carry up to four missiles at once, and a battery could launch up to 16 missiles before requiring a reload, which necessitates additional equipment and vehicles. Each launcher is towed by an 8×8 Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT), and large transport aircraft like the U.S. Air Force’s C-17 Globemaster are required for its air transport.

In November, the 5th Battalion, in coordination with the Strategic Capabilities Office and the Mid-Range Capability Project Office, successfully conducted a live-fire test using the Army’s sensors and firing systems, confirming the system’s ability to hit a moving surface target.

One notable milestone was the loading of an MRC system onto a ship, marking an initial step toward validating maritime transport methods as an alternative to air transport. This operation highlighted the Army’s ability to adapt its systems for rapid response in various scenarios, including coastal and amphibious operations. “It’s important to note that this battery didn’t even exist a year ago. Now we have certified crews and systems demonstrating new methods of projecting fires and mobility within the theater,” said Lieutenant Colonel Blane. “This reflects our capability to develop faster, more effective solutions, providing more lethal options for commanders in the Indo-Pacific.”

As a key unit in the Indo-Pacific, the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force plays a crucial role in coordinating and executing long-range precision strikes to “neutralize the adversary’s area denial and anti-access networks.”

In parallel, the Armed Forces of the Philippines are reportedly considering acquiring the Typhon missile launch system to bolster their ability to defend the nation’s exclusive economic zone. As part of the implementation of the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC), the Typhon is on a shortlist of systems being evaluated to strengthen national defense amidst significant tensions with China.

This consideration stems not only from the familiarity gained by Philippine troops during an April exercise with the U.S. Army, in which one of these systems was deployed in the country, but also from Typhon’s versatility and functionality in combining land-attack and long-range anti-aircraft missiles.

Looking ahead, the U.S. Army is developing a reduced-size variant of the Typhon system, informed by lessons learned during the aforementioned deployment in the Philippines. While specific modifications are not yet known, initial speculation centers on reducing the number of missiles a battery can launch and replacing the current HEMTT 8×8 truck with a smaller towing platform.

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