US Army Fires Tomahawk Missile from New Typhon Launcher During Philippines Exercise

The U.S. Army Pacific's 1st Multi-Domain Task Force fired a Tomahawk cruise missile from the Typhon launcher during Exercise Balikatan 2025 on May 5, 2026, launching from Tacloban at approximately 12:10 a.m. local time. The missile hit a target approximately 600 kilometers away in Nueva Ecija. The exercise involves roughly 17,000 troops from multiple nations. This follows the first Typhon live-fire outside the continental US on July 16, 2025, in Australia during Exercise Talisman Sabre 25.

Typhon Tomahawk test-fire

• ▪The Tomahawk cruise missile landed at the impact area within Fort Magsaysay in Laur, Nueva Ecija, roughly an hour after launch.
• ▪The Tomahawk missile was intended to support ground troops in a night land maneuver exercise led by the 25th Infantry Division in Fort Magsaysay.
• ▪The Tomahawk cruise missile successfully hit a target approximately 600 kilometers away in Nueva Ecija.
• ▪The Tomahawk cruise missile launched from Tacloban at approximately 12:10 a.m. local time on May 5, 2026.
• ▪Soldiers from the 3d Multi-Domain Task Force conducted the first Typhon live-fire exercise outside of the continental United States on July 16, 2025, in the Northern Territory, Australia, during Exercise Talisman Sabre 25.
• ▪The U.S. Army Pacific's 1st Multi-Domain Task Force and the Philippine Army Artillery Regiment test-fired a Tomahawk cruise missile from the Typhon launcher in the central Philippines on May 5, 2026.

Exercise Balikatan 2025

• ▪Exercise Balikatan 2025 includes a joint maritime strike event in Ilocos Norte featuring the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's Type 88 anti-ship missile system and the U.S. Marine Corps' NMESIS weapon.
• ▪Exercise Balikatan 2025 involves roughly 17,000 troops from Japan, Australia, France, Canada, and New Zealand.
• ▪The Philippine Coast Guard issued a navigational warning on April 27, 2026, urging locals in Eastern Visayas to take precautionary measures from May 5 until May 7, 2026, due to Balikatan exercise activities in the waters off San Pedro Bay.

Philippine defense acquisitions

• ▪The U.S. Marine Corps' NMESIS weapon is a mobile, shore-based missile launcher designed to sink ships.
• ▪The Typhon launcher's presence in the Philippines has irked Chinese officials because of the launcher's long-range capability, especially when loaded with Tomahawks.
• ▪Philippine officials stated that training on the Typhon missile system will help guide future acquisitions.

Launch timing uncertainty

• ▪The Typhon Tomahawk launch was planned but depended on the scenario on the ground and whether it was needed to support ground troops.
• ▪Local defense officials initially announced the Typhon launch for May 4 or May 5, 2026, but U.S. military officials suggested it could be canceled because of unspecified obstacles.

Perspective of Chinese officials

• ▪The Typhon launcher's presence in the Philippines has irked Chinese officials because of the launcher's long-range capability, especially when loaded with Tomahawks.

Perspective of Philippine defense officials

• ▪Philippine officials stated that training on the Typhon missile system will help guide future acquisitions.

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