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ORAC
10th Apr 2024, 06:20
https://www.navalnews.com/event-news/sea-air-space-2024/2024/04/lockheed-martin-unveils-mako-hypersonic-missile/

Lockheed Martin’s New Mako Hypersonic Missile Breaks Cover

Lockheed Martin and CoAspire unveiled the new Mako Multi-Mission Hypersonic Missile at Sea Air Space 2024 this week.

“For the US Navy, this is a multi-mission, highly capable system, highly survivable, affordable, so you’re going to hold many targets at risk with one weapons system that’s ready now,” Rick Loy, Senior Program Manager at the company’s Missile and Fire Control division told Naval News.

Mako, the name derived from the fastest shark in the sea, is being pitched to the U.S. Navy by Lockheed Martin for its speed, affordability, and targeting versatility to hold many targets at risk.

According to Lockheed Martin officials, this is the first time the hypersonic has been publicly displayed since the beginning of its development over seven years ago. A graphic played by the company at the CoAspire booth shows what seems to be a U.S. Air Force F-35A launching six of the hypersonic missiles in quick succession from both external and internal mounts.…..

Despite being unveiled, many aspects of Mako could not be disclosed by Loy to Naval News. Its guidance could not be specified outside of “multiple guidance methods” and “electronic packages.” What was disclosed was that the system would be at least Mach 5 and that the concept missile being shown off at SAS 2024 was the same one used for fit checks on aircraft. Loy confirmed that Mako has been fit-checked, first electronically and then with the model on various fighter jets and maritime patrol aircraft. According to Loy, the Mako is “compatible with any aircraft that has 30-inch lugs,” using the widely used BRU-32 heavy-duty ejector rack as an example.

The Mako shown off at SAS was put onto F-35, F-22, F-16, F-15, F-18, and a Navy P-8. Loy also confirmed that the system could be placed internally into an F-35, with one per bay. Likewise, as seen through their pitch to the US Navy at SAS 2024, Mako can be deployed from aircraft launched from carriers. Loy further stated that “there is nothing precluding the launch of this weapon from surface, ground, or even sub-surface like other weapons,” hinting at the possibility for Mako’s future launch platforms beyond aircraft….


https://youtu.be/yHuigtCP3IU?si=dB7Gf05zKiye0Z5o

Asturias56
10th Apr 2024, 07:43
"s being pitched to the U.S. Navy by Lockheed Martin for its speed, affordability,"

Cheap as chips no doubt

rattman
10th Apr 2024, 10:20
So the missile that got beaten by AAGRM-ER in the SiAW selection looking for new customers

ORAC
10th Apr 2024, 16:28
Well, since the production line is reportedly ready and isn’t booked solid for the USN, Ukraine could use a few dozen….

ORAC
11th Apr 2024, 22:24
https://x.com/minuteofzombie/status/1778510752116359226?s=61&t=rmEeUn68HhlFHGKbTPQr_A


​​​​​​​This was a a really interesting email. I’m just gonna say some stuff based on this and like don’t assume I’m right bc this is a limited amount of information.

So here’s what I hear:

- it’s maneuvering and hypersonic at high altitude (not surprising but tells us some things)

- it’s not maneuvering at hypersonic at low endo (not surprising, that’s really hard)

- it can complete terminal at Mach 5+ (!!!)

^ that’s an industry first and possibly a world first for a fielded system (unclear what PRC’s fully fielded)

So; just for completeness’ sake; we need to recall that “maneuvering” has subjective meaning. Kinzhal does technically perform a non ballistic maneuver. It’s just of limited usefulness in the context of the manner in which it’s used and it has drawbacks.

Mako might be something of a “fixed Kinzhal”, but smaller form factor.

If it’s hitting moving sea targets then it’s (probably) an active seeker and if it’s able to hit any target at Mach 5, then they have developed an RF transparent TPS with sufficient aerothermal survivability and a good CEP to fly in limited endo at M5+ without melting or shaking itself apart which is a significant achievement.