Tomahawk flight took 61 minutes in first Typhon launch during 2026 Balikatan drills
A Tomahawk cruise missile launched just after midnight streaked across the central Philippines and, 61 minutes later, slammed into a designated impact area inside Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, offering a timed demonstration of long-range strike capability during this year’s Balikatan exercises.[1]
The test-fire took place around 12:20 a.m. local time on May 5, 2026, and was carried out by the U.S. Army Pacific’s 1st Multi-Domain Task Force alongside the Philippine Army Artillery Regiment, Military Times reported.[1] Philippine Army Col. Dennis Hernandez described the weapon’s route as running from Tacloban to a target area in Laur, Nueva Ecija, calling it a “skimming missile” and stressing its accuracy: “The missile was very precise. Let’s say if you want to hit a window from a far distance, it lands directly into that window.”[1]
The launch marked the first time the U.S. Army fired the Typhon missile system in the Philippines, the South China Morning Post reported, underscoring how the platform’s debut has become a high-profile element of the annual joint drills between U.S. and Filipino forces.[2][1]
The Typhon system’s arrival has also carried diplomatic weight. Military Times said Chinese officials have been irritated by the launcher and its Tomahawk missiles because of their long-range reach.[1]
The strike comes amid a steady deepening of regional security ties: on Feb. 25, 2026, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. agreed to a U.S. military base expansion, and on May 4 Japan joined a counter-landing drill during the exercises.[1]
Timeline· Developing
US opens record drills with Philippines amid Iran war tensions; Philippine President Marcos Jr. agrees to US military base expansion in 2026; Philippine coast guard releases video of Chinese ships colliding during a chase in disputed waters; and Japan's defense chief visits Philippines to deepen security ties and witness combat exercises.
Chinese ships collide with Philippine vessel
The Philippine coast guard released video showing Chinese ships collided with a vessel while chasing a Philippine boat in disputed waters, underscoring rising maritime tensions that framed the upcoming exercises.
Marcos agrees to US military base expansion
Philippine President Marcos Jr. agreed to expand US military access to bases in the Philippines, enabling a larger and more sustained US presence that would support joint operations and exercises.
US opens record drills with Philippines
The United States launched record-scale military exercises with the Philippines, marking a significant intensification of bilateral training amid a tense regional security environment.
Japan joins counter-landing drill with allies
Japan participated in a counter-landing exercise alongside US and Philippine forces, expanding the drills into a trilateral operation and increasing multinational interoperability.
- US and Japan demonstrate advanced capabilities during drills
During exercises, a US Army unit fired a Tomahawk missile from a new Typhon launcher, Japan's defense chief visited to observe combat training, and Tokyo and Manila agreed to fast-track the transfer of destroyers, signaling deeper practical cooperation.
Japan fires anti-ship missiles in Philippine drills
Japan's Self-Defense Forces fired anti-ship missiles in the Philippines for the first time in these exercises, marking an escalation in Tokyo's operational role in the drills.
- Balikatan 2026 seen as show of force amid China tensions
Observers described the culmination of Balikatan 2026 as a public flex of military muscle by the US, Japan and the Philippines — combining record drills and new capabilities — in response to growing regional tensions with China.
Sources (2)
Published May 5, 2026
Synthesized from 2 sources