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.
More from Land Warfare
-
Romania opens the chequebook and reorganises as it watches Russian aggression
Romania is retiring old systems, some Soviet, and replacing them with western equipment from countries such as Sweden and Turkey and boosting existing modern fleets.
-
Milrem picks Texelis for partnership in drive to develop large UGV
Milrem has delivered or is building a total of 200 Tracked Hybrid Modular Infantry System UGVs and has chosen Texelis as partner in its effort to develop a UGV.
-
Sweden takes delivery of first M3 amphibious bridge and ferry system
The most recent nation to join NATO has joined other member nations in using the M3 system.
-
CV90 delivery to Slovakia imminent
Slovakia is undergoing a radical refresh of its equipment, like many central and eastern European countries, and the arrival of new vehicles will form a substantial part of this.
-
Mortar mobility: Patria’s TREMOS takes aim at the modern battlespace
In conversation... Patria’s Lauri Pauniaho talks to Shephard's Gerrard Cowan about how high mobility levels are essential for mortar systems in the face of modern counter-battery fire, and how a new platform-agnostic module can combine existing vehicles and mortar barrels into a cost-effective new weapon system.