Flash News: Following Philippines Deployment US Army to Field New Typhon Missile System in Europe in 2026.

According to a report published by Defense News website on March 17, 2025, following the first deployment of the Typhon or MRC (Mid-Range Capabilities) surface-to-surface missile system to the Philippines in 2024, the U.S. Army is now planning to equip the 2nd Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF) in Europe with the system by fiscal year 2026. The move is part of a broader effort to field three additional MRC batteries to remaining multidomain task force units between fiscal years 2026 and 2028, as confirmed by the U.S. Army’s Program Executive Office Missiles & Space. 
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A U.S. Army Typhon missile system launcher, designed for rapid deployment and long-range precision strikes, enhancing strategic capabilities in multi-domain operations. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)

This deployment marks a significant step in the modernization of U.S. military capabilities in the European theater, enhancing long-range precision strike options and reinforcing NATO’s deterrence posture.

Established on September 16, 2021, in Wiesbaden, Germany, the 2nd MDTF (Multi-Domain Task Force) is a specialized unit within the U.S. Army Europe and Africa command. Its mission is to synchronize and employ multi-domain operations, integrating capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyberspace to achieve strategic objectives. The task force comprises a headquarters element, an intelligence, cyberspace, electronic warfare and space detachment, and a brigade support company. The 2nd MDTF enhances the Army's ability to conduct operations in complex environments, addressing emerging threats through coordinated multi-domain efforts.

The U.S. Army’s Typhon Strategic Mid-Range Fires (SMRF) System, originally known as the Mid-Range Capabilities (MRC) System, is part of the U.S. Army’s Long-Range Precision Fires (LRPF) modernization portfolio. Reported improvements to Russian and Chinese artillery systems present a challenge to the U.S. Army. Advanced, longer-ranged artillery systems, new employment techniques for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and the proliferation of special munitions—such as precision, thermobaric, loitering, and top-attack munitions—have renewed concerns about the potential impact of Russian and Chinese fires on U.S. combat operations and ground combat systems. In response, the U.S. Army is actively enhancing its ability to deliver long-range precision fires (LRPF) by upgrading current artillery and missile systems, developing new longer-ranged platforms and hypersonic weapons, and modifying existing air- and sea-launched missiles for ground-based launch. The SMRF system represents a key component of these efforts, providing the Army with a critical capability to counter evolving threats.

The Typhon system, developed by Lockheed Martin, is a mobile, ground-launched missile platform designed to enhance the U.S. Army's long-range strike capabilities. The system is compatible with Raytheon-produced Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) and Tomahawk cruise missiles, providing versatility in targeting both land and maritime threats. The SM-6 missiles have a range of approximately 500 km, while the Tomahawk missiles can reach targets up to 2,500 km away, allowing for deep-strike operations. Designed for rapid deployment, the Typhon system is mounted on a transporter erector launcher, enhancing its operational flexibility and survivability in various terrains. Additionally, the system leverages the Navy's Mk 41 Vertical Launch System and Aegis Combat System technologies, enabling seamless integration with existing defense infrastructure.

Integrating the Typhon missile system into the 2nd MDTF in Europe holds significant strategic value. The extended range and precision of the system bolster NATO's deterrence posture against potential adversaries, ensuring a credible response capability to any aggression. Its mobility and rapid deployment features allow for swift repositioning across the European theater, adapting to evolving threat landscapes and reinforcing allied defenses where needed. Moreover, by utilizing existing Navy missile technologies, the Typhon system ensures compatibility with allied forces' platforms, facilitating coordinated operations and strengthening collective defense mechanisms. It also fills the range gap between short-range tactical missiles and long-range strategic assets, providing commanders with a versatile tool to engage targets at various distances effectively.

The planned deployment of the Typhon surface-to-surface missile system to the 2nd MDTF underscores the U.S. Army's commitment to modernizing its forces and enhancing the defense posture in Europe, ensuring readiness to address emerging threats and maintain regional stability.