US Army fires Typhon missile MRC in SINKEX on EX Talisman Sabre 25

The US Army’s 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF) deployed a Typhon missile launcher Mid-Range Capability (MRC) to Australia and conducted an SM-6 live fire in July, successfully sinking a maritime target in support of EX Talisman Sabre 25.

This was the first test firing of the Typhon MRC outside the USA and the deployment demonstrates the 3rd MDTF’s ability to deploy and support regional security and stability, according to a US Army statement.

The Typhon, also referred to as a Strategic Mid-Range Fires system (SMRF), can fire both SM-6 and Tomahawk missiles and has a range reported to be some 500km (SM-6) or more than 1,600km (Tomahawk). Each system consists of four strike-length launch cells from the Mk41 Vertical Launch System (VLS) mounted in a 40-foot ISO container, along with a Battery Command Post and other support vehicles.  The Typhon system is manufactured by Lockheed Martin.

The MRC live fire is a significant milestone in the development of the US military’s land-based maritime strike and strategic strike capabilities, the statement continues. The live fire validated the US Army’s ability to forward deploy Long-Range Precision Fires (LRPF) and demonstrated the 3rd MDTF’s ability to execute command and control (C2) of land-based maritime strike from a combined multi-domain C2 node in conjunction with the Australian Army’s emerging multi-domain formations.

The Australian Army is acquiring the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) and Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), both of which will be fired from the HiMARS launch vehicle – all of these are also made by Lockheed Martin. Increment 2 of PrSM, to be fitted with a Moving Target Indicator (MTI) seeker head, could also be used in the Land-Based Maritime Strike role under Project LAND8113 Ph.2; the Australian Army is due to make a choice between this system and the Thales-Kongsberg Strikemaster, which uses the Naval Strike Missile, in the land-based anti-ship role.

The live fire demonstration of the MRC’s capabilities was conducted in synchronization with the joint force. This was the first time that a land-based MRC has been fired west of the International Date Line (IDL), marking a significant milestone in the development and employment of the US military’s land-based maritime strike capabilities, said the US Army.

“The deployment of the MRC and successful execution of an SM-6 live fire against a maritime target is another significant step forward in our ability to deploy, integrate, and command and control advanced land-based maritime strike capabilities,” said Col. Wade Germann, Commander of the 3rd MDTF.

“This exercise validated our targeting and C2 interoperability with our partner unit the Australian 10th Brigade through the [US Army Joint Modernization Command’s Combined] Land Effects Coordination Centre, CLECC. We have set the stage to develop and deploy combat-credible, multi-domain capabilities forward in support of the Combined and Joint Force.”

The live fire provided will inform the development and employment of future land-based maritime strike and strategic strike capabilities by both countries’ armies.