In a significant milestone for U.S. military capabilities, the U.S. Army has carried out a live-fire exercise featuring its Typhon ground-based missile system outside of the continental United States for the first time.
This event took place during Exercise Talisman Sabre 25 in Australia, where the Typhon system successfully utilized an SM-6 multi-purpose missile to sink a target at sea.
The use of Typhon against a maritime target highlights a critical capability, particularly in the strategically vital Indo-Pacific region.
The live-fire event, conducted yesterday, is emblematic of the Army’s expanding operational reach and advanced technological integration.
As of now, details about the specific target involved in the sinking exercise (SINKEX) remain unclear, although requests for additional information have been made to the Army.
Imagery released thus far shows the SM-6 missile being launched from its platform somewhere in Australia’s Northern Territory, marking an important moment in the exercise.
The Typhon system, also referred to as the Mid-Range Capability (MRC), is designed to fire both Tomahawk cruise missiles and the SM-6 missile.
While the current iteration of Tomahawk missiles provides both land attack and anti-ship capabilities, the primary purpose of the SM-6 in this context is air defense.
However, when integrated into the Typhon system, the SM-6 is envisioned for use against targets both ashore and at sea, operating effectively like a short-range ballistic missile.
Col. Wade Germann, commander of the 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF) responsible for the exercise, emphasized the significance of this deployment, stating, “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.”
The Typhon battery, as detailed by the Army, consists of four launchers, a trailer-based mobile command post, and various other support vehicles and equipment.
As Exercise Talisman Sabre 25 unfolds, it is noteworthy that this is billed as the largest bilateral military training event conducted between the United States and Australia to date, with the participation of over 30,000 service members from 19 nations.
These exercises are crucial as they mark Australia’s growing role as a key ally in the U.S. military’s strategic posture against China in the Indo-Pacific.
In response to this challenge, Australia has undertaken significant efforts to modernize its military, including the acquisition of a nuclear-powered submarine fleet in partnership with the U.S. and the U.K.
This initiative is part of the trilateral Australia-United Kingdom-United States (AUKUS) defense cooperation agreement, underscoring the collaborative commitment to regional security.
The Australian Department of Defense has articulated that the strategic intent behind Talisman Sabre is clear, marking a cornerstone of allied military cooperation between the United States and Australia.
In conjunction with Talisman Sabre, the U.S. Air Force is also executing the Resolute Force Pacific (REFORPAC) 2025 exercise, which is described as its most extensive contingency response initiative in the region.
This cascading series of military drills across various locations underscores the U.S. commitment to readiness in the Indo-Pacific theater.
Previously, the Typhon system had been deployed to the Indo-Pacific, specifically to the Philippines, in April 2024 for Exercise Salaknib 24; however, that event did not showcase live-fire capabilities.
The recent live-fire exercise in Australia marks a critical advance in showcasing the Army’s Long-Range Precision Fires (LRPF) ambitions, indicating plans for future expansion of Typhon systems throughout the Indo-Pacific, potentially leading to permanent basing in the region.
The Typhon system, equipped with Tomahawk missiles, offers the Army a substantial ability to threaten targets on both land and sea from a considerable distance—approximately 1,000 miles from its deployment location.
The flexibility and speed of the SM-6 missile, when configured on Typhon, make it a versatile surface-to-surface weapon that resembles a ballistic missile in function, enhancing its challenge to adversaries.
For China, the deployment of the Typhon system introduces considerable complications, enabling the U.S. to strike various targets effectively in the early stages of a conflict.
As the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) enhances its fleet, the U.S. military’s proficiency in launching anti-ship strikes becomes increasingly paramount.
Furthermore, the Typhon system represents a departure from the constraints imposed by the now-defunct Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, which previously restricted the deployment of such advanced weaponry.
Moving forward, Typhon is central to the U.S. military’s conventional long-strike capabilities, which are expected to integrate emerging systems, including the Dark Eagle hypersonic missile.
Recently, U.S. military strategy in Europe has also gained traction. In 2021, the Army reactivated the 56th Artillery Command in Germany to oversee units equipped with Typhon and other long-strike systems.
Historically, this command was responsible for deploying Pershing and Pershing II nuclear-armed ballistic missiles, which were eliminated under the INF agreement.
There is also a growing interest in Typhon from Germany, as indicated by a recent announcement from German Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius.
Pistorius revealed that a request has been submitted to the Pentagon for the procurement of an undisclosed number of Typhon systems through Foreign Military Sales channels.
This initiative underscores Germany’s recognition of the need for a conventional long-strike weapon to counter evolving threats posed by Russia.
Typhon serves as an interim solution for Germany as it bridges the gap until future capabilities under the European Long-Range Strike Approach (ELSA) can be realized.
Launched by France, Germany, Italy, and Poland last summer and later joined by Sweden and the United Kingdom, the ELSA initiative aims to foster the development of new long-range strike capabilities, although specifics about the weapon types remain ambiguous.
As a strategic message to both allies and adversaries in the region, the Typhon system’s live-fire demonstration underscores U.S. resolve and expands the Army’s operational capabilities in the Indo-Pacific, paving the way for continued military engagement and partnership efforts.
image source from：twz
