The US Army recently launched a Tomahawk cruise missile from the Mid-Range Capability (MRC) system.
The live-fire test follows the Lockheed Martin system launching an SM-6 missile earlier this year, confirming its full operational capability, the US Army revealed.
Lockheed delivered the first of four MRCs, also called the Typhon Weapon System, in December last year.
Each Typhon comprises four trailer-based launchers, a command post, and support vehicles.
To Retain Edge Against Chinese, Russian Artillery
The MRC is part of the army’s long-range precision fires initiative, launched in light of the technological and range advancements demonstrated by Chinese and Russian artillery.
The MRC fits in the range between the army’s Precision Strike Missile (about 300 miles/483 kilometers) and the developmental Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon system (1,725 miles/2,776 kilometers).
The system launches the vessel-launched SM-6 surface-to-air and Tomahawk cruise missiles from a ground platform. It’s primarily for land-based targets.
The SM-6 has a range of 150 miles (240 kilometers), and the Tomahawk can strike a target about 1,550 miles (2,500 kilometers) away.
The SM-6 is primarily an anti-ballistic missile, while the Tomahawk is for a land attack role. However, anti-ship versions also exist. The SM-6 also has an anti-ship attack as its secondary role.
