Lockheed’s MHTK in new test firing

Lockheed Martin's Miniature Hit-to-Kill (MHTK) missile has been tested at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, to demonstrate the interceptor’s increased agility, the company announced on 30 January.

The test also validated the performance of MHTK’s airframe and updated electronics, which are now common between the missile's two configurations: active and semi-active seeker.

The missile's increased agility enhances the interceptor’s ability to defeat rocket, artillery and mortar targets with greater accuracy, reliability and range.

The MHTK interceptor is less than 2.5ft in length and it weighs about 5lbs at launch. It uses hit-to-kill technology, which destroys threats through an accurate application of kinetic energy in body-to-body contact. Hit-to-kill technology eliminates the incoming threat while reducing the risk of collateral damage seen in traditional blast-fragmentation interceptors.

Tim Cahill, vice president of Integrated Air and Missile Defense at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, said: ‘The design of the MHTK interceptor enables a highly effective solution in a very compact package. This test is exciting because it is another successful milestone demonstrating the interceptor's revolutionary capabilities. We look forward to building on this success.’