Lockheed Martin [LMT] completed a successful controlled flight test of its Miniature Hit-to-Kill (MHTK) interceptor at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. on Jan. 26, the company said Tuesday.

This was the first flight test of the MHTK’s upgraded electronics and the second for its new airframe. A Lockheed Martin spokesperson told Defense Daily the test’s objective was to confirm the MHTK’s aerodynamics performance and its updated electronics packaging.

Lockheed Martin conducts a flight test of the Miniature Hit-to-Kill (MHTK) interceptor at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. on Jan. 26. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)
Lockheed Martin conducts a flight test of the Miniature Hit-to-Kill (MHTK) interceptor at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. on Jan. 26. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)

The airframe and electronics are common between the interceptors’ two configurations: active and semi-active seekers.

The company funded the flight test itself and said it advances the programs technical maturity and builds confidence in the interceptor’s abilities.

The spokesperson also told Defense Daily the company expects to conduct additional test flights later this year, including the opportunity for intercept testing.

In August, Cahill said the company had already test-fired the MHTK for the Army’s new Multi-Mission Launcher and could be used in a block of six missiles that way. That kind of system would fit on the back of a truck or Humvee (Defense Daily, Aug. 10, 2017).

“This test is exciting because it is another successful milestone demonstrating the interceptor’s revolutionary capabilities. We look forward to building on this success,” Tim Cahill, vice president of Lockheed Martin’s integrated air and missile defense program, said in a statement.

The MHTK is less than 2.5 feet long and weighs about 5 pounds on launch. It acts as a hit-to-kill interceptor to destroy targets using accurate body-to-body contact.

Cahill noted the U.S. Army and international customers are looking for new close-range solutions to protect forces from RAM targets.

“The design of the MHTK interceptor enables a highly effective solution in a very compact package,” he said.