An at-sea target was sunk by a U.S. Army multi-domain force’s Typhon missile system off the coast of northern Australia during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025.
As per a U.S. Army press statement the live-fire exercise on Wednesday was the first conducted outside the United States by its 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force (3MDTF).
The Typhon launcher, also known as the Strategic Mid-Range Fires System (SMRF), is a vertical-launch platform capable of firing both Standard SM-6 and Tomahawk cruise missiles from the back of a U.S. Army transporter.
During Wednesday’s test a Standard Missile-6 projectile was used to hit the maritime target; the Raytheon-produced missile has been in service since 2013 and can be used for ballistic missile defence as well as against land and sea targets.
Depending on the variant, the missile is capable of reaching Mach 3.5 (more than 2,600mph) and has a range of up to 300 miles.
The U.S. Army statement noted: “The demonstration highlights the strength of the Australia–U.S. alliance and the rapidly advancing capability and capacity of 3MDTF and the 10th Australian Brigade to deploy advanced, land-based maritime strike capabilities in support of regional security and stability.”
The ongoing Talisman Sabre 2025 exercise began on July 13 and runs until August 4. The bilateral U.S.-Australian multi-domain exercise is in its 11th iteration and will this year involve 19 nations and around 35,000 military personnel.
As per Defence Australia, most of the activities will be in Queensland but selected events are also being staged in Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and New South Wales. In addition, offshore elements are also being conducted in Papua New Guinea for the first time.
Talisman Sabre 2025 will include a series of live-fire exercises and field training, incorporating amphibious landings, land manoeuvres, and air combat and maritime operations. New Australian Defence Force capabilities being showcased include its recently-acquired UH-60M Black Hawks and the Precision Strike Missile.
ADF Chief of Joint Operations Vice Admiral Justin Jones commented: “Exercise Talisman Sabre remains a powerful demonstration of Australia’s enduring commitment to strengthening relationships between trusted allies and partners, in support of a peaceful, stable and sovereign Indo-Pacific.”
Deputy Commanding General U.S. Army PacificDeputy Commanding General U.S. Army Pacific Lieutenant General Joel B. Vowell added: “Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 is a powerful demonstration of our combined strength, trust, interoperability, and readiness across the Indo-Pacific.
“As part of the Combined Joint Force, we train diligently and realistically to integrate capabilities across land, sea, air, cyber, and space domains, operating alongside our allies and partners from 19 nations.
“Exercises like Talisman Sabre allow us to employ war-winning capabilities, operate in critical locations, signal our multinational resolve, and galvanize our collective will. This is how we generate deterrence and work towards our ultimate goal: no war.”
The U.K. Carrier Strike Group led by HMS Prince of Wales is taking part in Talisman Sabre 2025 as part of her eight-month Operation Highmast deployment to the Indo-Pacific region.
- You can read more details about Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 on the Defence Australia website