Lockheed Martin Looking to Manufacture Miniature Hit-to-Kill (MHTK) Missile System in India

Lockheed Martin is looking to manufacture its Miniature Hit-to-Kill (MHTK) missile in India, one of the smallest missiles in the world, intended to intercept artillery, mortars and rockets and UAVs.

The 26.9-inch-long missile is part of the US Army's Extended Area Protection and Survivability Integration Demonstration (EAPS ID) programme by August/September 2016. The missile will offer Counter-Rocket, Artillery, Mortar (C-RAM) and counter-UAV (C-UAV) capabilities.

According to Lockheed Martin, there is currently no missile system which can offer C-RAM and C-UAV protection. It does so “inexpensively” at US$40,000 per intercept. The EAPS ID missile is on display at the DEFEXPO 16 show in Goa, India.

Lockheed Martin executives told defenseworld.net that they were looking for a partner in India who could manufacture the all-important illuminator system while helps track the target missile before launching the MHTK missile.

The missile does not have a warhead and “kills” its target by kinetic impact. The front of the missile contains a semi active radio-frequency seeker while the rear has a solid rocket propellant motor.

The compact system elements include a fire control antenna, four launchers holding 144 interceptors and fire control electronics. An alternative configuration includes an interceptor data link, 2 launchers with 72 interceptors and a fire-control system.

In tests, the system has proven itself against mortar, rocket and artillery rounds besides UAVs causing complete destruction even against the hardest and thickest- walled threats.

A typical threat engagement works with the acquisition sensors tracking targets, engagement decision made and passed to fire control system which computes intercept solution and provides engagement solution to the interceptor.

The fire-control system commands launch, in-flight target updates provided to interceptor which flies planned flight path. The interceptor guides on reflected signal and destroys the target upon contact.