A new report reveals that U.S. soldiers deployed in the Pacific region have made adjustments and improvements to the “Typhon” intermediate-range missile system, showcasing the significant value of soldiers participating in design improvements during deployment. This action by the U.S. Army has left the Chinese Communist Party deeply anxious and annoyed.
According to a report by Business Insider on July 1st, American soldiers are using the “Typhon” intermediate-range missile system in the Philippines. The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported the modernization work on the artillery, rockets, and missile systems of the U.S. Army. The GAO cited conversations with project officials stating that “multiple design changes” were made based on user feedback provided during training with the new equipment and other exercises.
Improvements include shortening reload times and reducing the pressure on system components, all of which were implemented by soldiers participating in the exercises on site. The office stated, “For example, due to a direction issue with the launcher, soldiers recommended adjusting certain access points and panel connections on the trailer for easier reloading, operation, and maintenance.”
In April 2024, the U.S. deployed the “Typhon” missile system in northern Luzon, Philippines, for annual joint military exercises with its Asian ally, the Philippines. This marked the first time since the Cold War that the U.S. had deployed an intermediate-range missile system in Asia. The U.S. Pacific Army Command stated on its official website at the time that this deployment was a milestone, indicating it as an “important milestone in the introduction of new capabilities, while also enhancing interoperability, readiness, and defense capabilities with the armed forces of the Philippines.”
This is the first time the system has appeared in the First Island Chain. The range of the intermediate-range missile can reach over two thousand kilometers, potentially targeting the southeastern coastal areas of China, as well as the sensitive South China Sea and Taiwan Strait regions. Experts view this move as the U.S. military signaling its military strength in the Indo-Pacific to deter the Chinese Communist Party.
The “Typhon” missile system consists of four MK41 Vertical Launch System units per launcher, capable of firing land-attack Standard-6 missiles and Tomahawk cruise missiles. Both missile types could hinder China’s air defense systems in the opening stages of a potential conflict in the Taiwan Strait, allowing the U.S. Navy to deploy larger warships subsequently.
China has repeatedly demanded the Philippines remove the “Typhon” missile system. In September of last year, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated that China had clearly expressed opposition to this deployment, calling it a “retrograde move.”
In February of this year, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told reporters, “The Philippines’ cooperation with the U.S. to introduce the ‘Typhon’ missile launch system is the Philippines handing over its own defense affairs to others, introducing geopolitical confrontation and a military competition risk to the region… When China’s security and interests are harmed or threatened, China will not stand idly by.”
In June, Philippine Defense Minister Gilberto Teodoro, during an interview with Fox News, responded to Beijing’s opposition by stating, “This has nothing to do with China; our actions are entirely for the defense of the Philippines.”
He said, “What we do within our territory is for our defense construction.” “This is also in line with compliance with international law, which is nothing to be surprised about.”
The U.S. Government Accountability Office pointed out in its report that the development of the “Typhon” system “embodies several characteristics of an iterative product development approach, as it establishes a business case with flexible requirements, focusing on the minimum viable product (MVP),” including adjusting new features and seeking user feedback on the system.
The U.S. Army’s Transformation and Innovation projects are increasingly focusing on iterative or phased development based on frontline soldier feedback. The Army refers to these processes as “soldier touchpoints,” with different names for the process within the military. U.S. Special Forces are also actively involved in this development approach.
The significance of such operational work was also demonstrated in the Ukraine conflict. Ukrainian soldiers frequently interact closely with weapon manufacturers and provide feedback, driving the rapid development of experimental and emerging combat technologies. The initial deployment of the “Typhon” system by the U.S. Army in the Philippines has similarly undergone this type of development process.