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Updated March 12, 2024
The U.S. Army’s Strategic Mid-Range Fires (SMRF) System
(Formerly Mid-Range Capabilities System)
What Is the Army’s Strategic Mid-Range
operations center (BOC) (Figure 1). Reportedly, a decision
Fires (SMRF) System?
has not been made on how many missiles each battery will
Reported improvements to Russian and Chinese artillery
have. SMRF batteries are to be equipped with a number of
systems present a challenge to the U.S. Army. These
prime movers, trailers, generators, and support vehicles.
improved, longer-ranged artillery systems, new
Numbers of soldiers assigned to each battery is presently
employment techniques employing unmanned aerial
unknown. The Army originally planned for the first
vehicles (UAV) for target acquisition, and the proliferation
prototype SMRF battery to be fielded no later than the
of special munitions (such as precision, thermobaric,
fourth quarter of FY2023 and three additional batteries
loitering, and top-attack munitions) have renewed concerns
were to be fielded on an annual basis thereafter. It is not
about the potential impact of Russian and Chinese fires on
clear at this time if the Army will field more than four
U.S. combat operations and ground combat systems. In
SMRF batteries or if any of the batteries will be Army
response, the U.S. Army is seeking to improve its ability to
National Guard units.
deliver what it refers to as long-range precision fires
(LRPF) by upgrading current artillery and missile systems,
SMRF Unit Organization
developing new longer-ranged systems and hypersonic
The Army plans to field one SMRF battery in the Strategic
weapons, and modifying existing air- and sea-launched
Fires Battalion of the Army’s regionally aligned Multi-
missiles for ground launch.
Domain Task Force (MDTF) (Figure 2).
Originally known as the Mid-Range Capabilities (MRC)
Figure 2. Army Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF)
System, SMRF is part of the Army’s LRPF modernization
Organization
portfolio. It is intended to hit targets at ranges between the
Army’s Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) and the
developmental Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW)
system. The SMRF Weapon System leverages existing
Raytheon-produced SM-6 missiles and Raytheon-produced
Tomahawk cruise missiles and modifies them for ground
launch. The SMRF system is also known as the “Typhon”
missile system (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Typhon Launchers and Battery
Operations Center
Source: Chief of Staff Paper #1 Army Multi-Domain Transformation
Ready to Win in Competition and Conflict, March 16, 2021, p. 12.
Note: MRC Battery depicted above is now known as the SMRF
Battery.
The Army describes MDTFs as “theater-level maneuver
elements designed to synchronize precision effects and
Source: The Drive: https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/army-
precision fires in all domains against adversary anti-access/
fires-tomahawk-missile-from-its-new-typhon-battery-in-major-
area denial (A2/AD) networks in all domains, enabling joint
milestone, accessed July 6, 2023.
forces to execute their operational plan (OPLAN)-directed
roles.”
SMRF Weapon System Components
According to the Army, the prototype SMRF battery is
planned to consist of four launchers and a battery
https://crsreports.congress.gov
The U.S. Army’s Strategic Mid-Range Fires (SMRF) System (Formerly Mid-Range Capabilities System)
FY2025 SMRF Budgetary Information
What Is Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD)?
Anti-Access (A2) is an action, activity, or capability, usually
Table 1. FY2025 SMRF Budget Request
long-range, designed to prevent an advancing enemy force
Funding
Total Request
Total Request
from entering an operational area.
Category
($ Million)
(Qty.)
Area Denial (AD) is an action, activity, or capability, usually
RDT&E
$183
—
short-range, designed to limit an enemy force’s freedom of
Procurement
$233
—
action within an operational area.
Source: Assistant Secretary of the Army (Financial Management and
Source: Department of Defense Dictionary of Military
Comptrol er), FY2025 President’s Budget Highlights, March 2024. p.
and Associated Terms, November 2021.
33.
Notes: RDT&E = Research, Development, Test & Evaluation;
Program Status
Qty. = FY2025 procurement quantities.
Reportedly, Lockheed Martin delivered the first of four
According to the Army’s FY2025 President’s Budget
prototype Typhon systems to the Army on December 2,
Highlights,
2022. The Army originally planned to field its first
prototype SMRF battery no later than the fourth quarter of
Base funding also allows for purchasing and
FY2023.
receiving hardware and materials to implement
prototype fabrication, and to support component-
SMRF Test Launches and Full Operational
level and system-level qualification, adding
Capability
additional capabilities to the batteries. Procures
On June 27, 2023, the Army reported
thirty-two Tactical Tomahawks (TACTOMs) and
MK14 cannisters It also supports the procurement
The Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical
of a MRC Battery, Ground Support Equipment to
Technologies Office’s Mid-Range Capability
include one Battery Operations Center (BOC), four
Project Office, in conjunction with soldiers from 1st
launcher Payload Deployment Systems (PDS), one
MDTF and the U.S. Navy Program Executive
Reload Capability, and one BOC Support Vehicle,
Office Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons,
[and]
associated
Government
Furnished
successfully demonstrated the launch of a
Equipment, and program management costs.
Tomahawk missile from the Army’s prototype Mid-
Potential Issues for Congress
Range Capability system. Soldiers assigned to the
1st MDTF conducted this live-fire event in which
Planned SMRF Units
successful communications from the Battery
Operations Center to the Launcher resulted in the
The Army’s original plans called for fielding four SMRF
launch of a Tomahawk missile. This test follows the
batteries. The Army, however, plans for five MDTFs, with
each MDTF having one organic SMRF battery. Reports
successful launch of an SM-6 missile from the Mid-
suggest the 1st MDTF now has two SMRC batteries instead
Range Capability system earlier this year,
of one. The Army has reportedly stated that while “each
confirming the full operational capability of the
[MDTF] is supposed to have one battery,” that “MDTFs
system.
can be adjusted to their combatant commander’s
Plans to Deploy SMRF in 2024
requirements with more or fewer units.” If this is the case, it
suggests the Army may eventually field more than the
Reportedly, in November 2023, U.S. Army Pacific
originally planned four SMRF batteries. Congress might
Commander General Charles Flynn noted
seek clarification on the Army’s current plans for total
number of SMRF batteries, including if any batteries will
We have tested [Typhon] and we have a battery or
be fielded in the Army National Guard.
two of them today. In 2024, we intend to deploy that
system in the region. I’m not going to say where and
Overseas Stationing of SMRF Units
when, but I will just say that we will deploy them in
As previously noted, the Army reportedly planned to
the region.
deploy SMRF in 2024 in support of U.S. Army Pacific at
SMRF Battery Activation
undisclosed locations in the Pacific region. Furthermore, it
is possible that SMRF units may be deployed elsewhere
Reportedly, the Army activated its second SMRF battery—
overseas. Given the importance and issues that often affect
D Battery, 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment—as
securing overseas basing, Congress might examine ongoing
part of Joint Base Lewis-McChord’s 1st MDTF in January
efforts to secure Army long-range precision fires unit
2024. The article notes that “while no statement can be
basing in the Indo-Pacific region as well as other overseas
found on the creation of the first battery,” it is assumed that
regions.
“the second battery activated was part of the Army’s 1st
Long-Range Fires Battalion, implying that that the 1st
MDTF now has at least two Typhon batteries.”
Andrew Feickert, Specialist in Military Ground Forces
IF12135
https://crsreports.congress.gov
The U.S. Army’s Strategic Mid-Range Fires (SMRF) System (Formerly Mid-Range Capabilities System)
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https://crsreports.congress.gov | IF12135 · VERSION 15 · UPDATED