Lockheed Martin has described some of the characteristics of the Mako hypersonic missile and adapted it for most US fighter jets. The company has been developing Mako for 7 years.
The missile is 3.6 meters long and 33 cm in diameter and weighs 590 kg. Its dimensions allow it to be integrated into the internal compartments of 5th generation fighters (F-35, F-22). The former can carry up to six missiles.
- The prototypes were successfully tested for compatibility with F-16as well as F-18, F, F-15 and P-8 Poseidon patrol aircraft. The missile can also be carried by bombers.
Mako has a solid-fuel engine that gives the rocket a speed of up to Mach 5. With this speed, the missile can maneuver at high altitudes. So far, these are all the flight characteristics that Lockheed Martin has disclosed.
The modular design makes it possible to replace the 60 kg warhead with another charge and replace the navigation system. The open digital architecture simplifies the process of integrating new modules into the Mako. To reduce the time and cost of assembling the missile, the company used components of existing systems. 3D printing is also widely used in the design: it was used to produce the warhead fairing and other surfaces.
The missile is fully versatile: it can hit land and sea targets, and can also be used against air targets as part of an air defense system.
Sources: Lockheed Martin, «Militarnyi»
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