The activation reflects the Army’s response to a challenging and rapidly changing security environment in the region. “The environment we face is complex and fast evolving,” said Lt. Col. Jeffrey M. Orban, the 1-17th FAR commander, adding, “The Indo-Pacific is vast, dynamic, and critically important to global stability. Our allies, our partners, and our nation depend on our ability to deter aggression.”
The Dark Eagle system is part of the Army’s long-range fires capability and is designed to engage time-critical and heavily defended targets. Hypersonic systems travel at speeds greater than Mach 5 and combine speed, range, manoeuvrability and altitude to provide highly survivable strike options.
Leaders of the newly activated battery emphasised readiness and unit development as priorities. “1st. Sgt. Davenport and I are committed to building the formation and ensuring every Soldier within it pursues excellence,” said Capt. Adam Donlan, the Bravo Battery commander, continuing, “We must be ready once we receive the TELs [transporter erector launcher] to deploy to the Pacific and deter our adversaries.”
The activation builds on earlier operational milestones for the 3d Multi-Domain Task Force. In July 2025, the unit deployed the Dark Eagle system for the first time, demonstrating its ability to project long-range fires.
Senior leadership highlighted the broader significance of the system’s forward deployment. Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, said, “The deployment of the LRHW system to Australia marks a significant achievement for U.S. Indo-pacific Command, as it validates the Army’s ability to deploy, position, and exercise command and control (C2) of the system in a forward environment.”
