US deploys Mid-Range Capability missile defence system to the Philippines
MRC will provide a substantial capability building on existing systems using in-service missiles. (Photo: US Army)
Mid-Range Capability (MRC) missile defence system has leveraged Lockheed Martin’s expertise with two in-service USN systems: the MK 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) and the Aegis Weapon System.
The US Army has, for the first time, deployed a MRC land-attack/surface-to-air missile defence system to the Philippines as part of Exercise Salaknib 24.
MRC uses US Navy SM-6 surface-to-air supersonic missile and the US Navy Tomahawk tactical land-attack cruise missiles. It comprises a battery operations centre, four launchers, prime movers and modified trailers.
The system was deployed in early April to northern Luzon with the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force (1MDTF) onboard a C-17 Globemaster III with the support of the US Air Force’s 62nd Airlift Wing from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.
As reported on the US Army Pacific website, Brig Gen Bernard Harrington, commanding general of the 1MDTF, said it was “a significant step in our partnership with the Philippines”.
“This creates several new collaboration opportunities for our bilateral training and readiness and we look forward to growing together,” Harrington remarked.
The deployment of the system, which provides a land-attack range as far as 2,500km and altitude out to 108,000ft, has marked a substantial boost in capability in a region where China has been taking a stronger position in recent years.
The US Army awarded Lockheed Martin a US$339.3 million Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) for MRC in November 2020. The deal comprised designing, building, integrating, testing, evaluating, documenting, delivering and supporting the MRC prototype battery capability.
More from Land Warfare
-
![Ukraine’s ground robot army still finding its feet]()
Ukraine’s ground robot army still finding its feet
Ukraine’s quest to replace soldiers with robots is hitting technical snags. Shephard spoke with industry leaders about difficulties in the field and what solutions are in the pipeline.
-
![DOK-ING presents CUAS MV-8 armed with Valhalla Mangart 25 turret]()
DOK-ING presents CUAS MV-8 armed with Valhalla Mangart 25 turret
The partnership between Croatia’s DOK-ING and Slovenia’s Valhalla Turrets reflects an effort to combine ground robots and with improved capabilities and new roles and follows Rheinmetall presenting its Ox with Dispatch charging docks from Valinor.
-
![British Army vehicle programme may be shifting gears again]()
British Army vehicle programme may be shifting gears again
The UK’s effort to replace thousands of vehicles across a dozen base vehicle types has had a troubled history and statements from the UK’s Defence Minster Luke Pollard indicate change may be on the way.
-
![Scorpion light mortar completes tests with US Army and moves to next exercise]()
Scorpion light mortar completes tests with US Army and moves to next exercise
Having completed five days of trials with the US Army, the two Scorpion Light mortar systems will stay in Hawaii to take part in planned Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center training exercises in early November.
-
![EOS improving Slinger CUAS role as industry pushes forward]()
EOS improving Slinger CUAS role as industry pushes forward
EOS Defence Systems officially launched its Slinger anti-drone system in 2023. The system features a remote weapon station, visual sensors and a Northrop Grumman 30mm cannon with specially designed ammunition, combined with EOS’s stabilisation and pointing technology.
