The United States Army is preparing to deploy a second Typhon missile battery to the Pacific theater, signaling a significant amplification of its long-range strike capabilities in the region. Colonel Michael Rose, commander of the 3rd Multidomain Task Force (MDTF), announced that the unit is standing up its long-range fires battalion, which includes readying a Typhon battery for Pacific deployment within the next year. This move marks the Army’s second fielding of the Mid-Range Capability (MRC) missile system in this strategically vital area.
Typhon System Deployed to 3rd MDTF
Speaking to reporters during a media roundtable on Friday, Col. Rose confirmed that the Army currently has two certified and operational Typhon batteries stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) in Washington state. The 3rd MDTF, headquartered in Hawaii, is slated to receive its assigned Typhon battery at JBLM later this year. This deployment will integrate the advanced missile system directly into the command structure responsible for maintaining security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Typhon system, developed by Lockheed Martin, represents a significant advancement in the Army’s land-based missile capabilities. It utilizes a vertical launch system and incorporates proven naval missile technology, employing Raytheon’s Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) and Tomahawk cruise missiles. This combination provides the system with the ability to engage targets at ranges between 500 and 2,000 kilometers. A complete Typhon battery comprises a battery operations center, four missile launchers, prime movers for mobility, and modified trailers for logistical support. The rapid fielding of this capability, achieved in under three years since the Army’s initial pursuit of a midrange missile in September 2020, underscores the urgency and priority placed on enhancing long-range fires.
Strategic Deployment in the Pacific
The Army’s commitment to forward presence and operational exercises was highlighted by the first Typhon deployment to the Philippines in 2024. During the exercise, Salaknib, the 1st MDTF, successfully transported a Typhon launcher over 8,000 miles via a C-17 Globemaster aircraft. This deployment demonstrated the system’s strategic mobility and the Army’s ability to project long-range fires into critical locations. The Typhon system deployed to the Philippines remains stationed on the island of Luzon, providing a persistent capability within the region.
Live-Fire Exercises and Future Expansion
While the Typhon system in the Philippines has not yet conducted a live-fire exercise, Col. Rose emphasized the importance of such exercises for readiness and capability validation. “We’re always looking for opportunities to do live-fire with the system,” he stated, noting the significant benefits gained from live-fire events and expressing the Army’s intent to pursue such opportunities in the coming year as part of ongoing campaigning activities.
Looking ahead, the Army plans to expand the Typhon capability across its MDTF structure. Program Executive Office Missiles & Space has indicated that another three batteries will be fielded to the remaining multidomain task force units between fiscal years 2026 and 2028. The second MDTF, based in Europe, is expected to receive a Typhon battery in fiscal year 2026. This broader fielding plan reflects the Army’s commitment to establishing MDTFs as core elements of its operational force structure by fiscal year 2028.
Multidomain Task Force Evolution
The MDTF concept itself has evolved significantly since the establishment of the first experimental unit at JBLM around 2018. Initially conceived as an experimental formation, the 1st MDTF has since transitioned to an operational unit. The Army is in the process of building out a total of five MDTFs. The 4th MDTF, stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado, will also be focused on the Pacific theater and is anticipated to reach full operational capability by fiscal year 2027. The 5th MDTF, based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, will concentrate on regions yet to be determined and is projected to be operational by fiscal year 2028. The experiences and exercises undertaken by MDTFs, particularly in U.S. Indo-Pacific Command exercises, have been instrumental in shaping the Army’s Multidomain Operations warfighting concept, which has now been formalized into doctrine.
The deployment of a second Typhon battery to the Pacific underscores the U.S. Army’s commitment to enhancing its long-range strike capabilities and strengthening its posture in this critical region. As the Army continues to develop and field MDTFs and advanced weapon systems like the Typhon, its ability to project power and deter potential aggression in the Indo-Pacific and globally will be significantly enhanced.
