Lockheed MHTK completes engineering demo

In an engineering demonstration at the White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, Lockheed Martin’s miniature hit-to-kill (MHTK) interceptor was successfully launched from a multi mission launcher (MML), the company announced on 5 April.

The launch demonstrated the aerodynamic capability and agility of the MHTK missile, which aims to defeat rocket, artillery and mortar (RAM) targets beyond the range of current and interim interceptor systems. The MHTK weighs 5lbs and is just over 61cm in length. The compact size allows multiple rounds of MHTK to be packaged in a single MML tube.

The MHTK uses Hit-to-Kill technology, which uses kinetic energy and body-to-body contact to eliminate threats and aims to remove the risk of collateral damage present in conventional blast fragment interceptors.

Hal Stuart, MHTK program manager, Lockheed Martin, said: ‘This test is a critical milestone demonstrating the interceptor’s maturity, and we look forward to continuing to build on this success using key data gathered from today’s launch.’

The MML is a part of the US Army’s Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2 – Intercept programme, which is designed to protect the forces from RAM threats, UAS and cruise missiles.