The US Army is weighing the option to buy a new unmanned launch vehicle for Tomahawk cruise missiles, like one the US Marine Corps has. The vehicle is called the Long Range Fires (LRF) launcher and sits on a remote-controlled 4x4 platform, the Oshkosh Defense Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV). The Army's fascination with this system is because of its ability to augment the Typhon system larger, or commonly referred to as the Mid-Range Capability (MRC) system.
Top Features of the Typhon System:
Launchers: Four trailer-mounted launchers, each comprising four launch cells, for the firing of Tomahawk and SM-6 missiles
Mobility: The launchers are towed behind Oshkosh HEMTT A4 M983A4 Patriot trucks, enabling strategic deployment
Range: The range of Tomahawk missiles is around 1,000 miles and that of SM-6 missiles is 286 miles
Capabilities: The system can target land and sea, with the SM-6 missile also able to provide terminal ballistic missile defense and anti-air warfare
The Army's current Typhon system has proven its capability in live-fire testing, successfully firing Tomahawk missiles and proving itself as a strategic capability. But the system demands heavy logistical support, such as large transport planes like the C-17 Globemaster III.
Advantages of the LRF Launcher:
Greater Mobility: The unmanned launch system provides better deployability and less susceptibility to adversary forces
Greater Flexibility: The system can be used independently, offering a strategic edge in expeditionary settings
Complement to Typhon: The LRF launcher can complement the Typhon system, offering additional long-range strike capability
The possible acquisition of the Tomahawk cruise missile launching drone truck is included in the Army's plans to modernize its military capabilities and improve its long-range precision fires. With the advancement of missile systems such as Typhon and LRF, the US Army is set to enhance its strategic presence in the Pacific region, especially in countries such as the Philippines, where the system has already been deployed ¹ ².