US Army fires Typhon missile system from remote NT outback striking offshore target

With a bang, the US Army has achieved a significant milestone in the Top End with a highly-advanced missile system. Details.

The US has created history after launching a deadly missile deep in the NT outback during Exercise Talisman Sabre.

The US has created history after launching a deadly missile from deep in the NT outback.

Last week, the US Army fired a Mid-Range Capability (MRC), also known as the ‘Typhon’ missile, from the remote Bradshaw Training Area, striking a maritime target at an undisclosed location off the NT coast.

The precision-strike marks the first time the Typhon has been involved in a live-fire event outside of the US continent.

The missile destroyed an offshore target.

Supported by a number of other units, the missile launch marked the finale of a broader training activity.

Over two days, a complex fires sequence took place, with Australian surface-to-air missiles and US Marines clearing a series of objectives prior to the launch.

MRF-D commander Colonel Jason Armas said the launch was executed amid a “complex” training run.

“We validated mobile command and control at scale — integrating joint and multinational fires assets to apply decisive combat power at a time and place of our choosing,” he said.

“That’s how MRF-D operates as a stand-in force: lethal, agile, and always in position to act with allies and partner forces.”

It was also revealed the target was identified using a US navy P-8A airframe, which established the grid coordinates required to prosecute.

US Army Colonel Wade Germann called the strike a “significant step forward”.

With a range of almost 500 kms, the Typhon is the latest high-value weapon system to make its Australian debut.

In 2019, the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, which Australia has since procured, was also brought to bear in the NT outback for the first time.

Six years later, the success of the Typhon strike was not lost on US Army Colonel Wade Germann, who described the event as a “significant step forward”.

“This exercise validated our targeting and command and control interoperability with our partner unit, the Australian 10th Brigade, through the Land Effects Coordination Center,” he said.

“We have set the stage to develop and deploy combat-credible, multi-domain capabilities forward in support of the combined and joint force.”

HMS Prince of Wales has been getting in on the action.

Aussies involved in the process have also spoken of their satisfaction.

“Having the US deploy such a capable system to Australia and get it into the field in a remote location is a good indicator that if we had a real situation we can plan and operate together,” Australian 16th Regiment commander Lieutenant Colonel James Floyd said.

“Australia currently has a small ground-based air defence capability, we provide a specific effect, which is very capable and of great interest to the US and other coalition partners.”

Offshore, British aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, has also been getting in on the action, launching fully loaded F-35B stealth jets into the fray to link up with their land-based friendlies.

In week two of its activities, Exercise Talisman Sabre still has another fortnight until its conclusion.

Originally published as US Army fires Typhon missile system from remote NT outback striking offshore target