How the Compact Mako Hypersonic Missile Could Transform U.S. Air Power.

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Physical compatibility tests have confirmed that the Mako can be carried internally by the F-22 and F-35A/C, as well as externally on aircraft such as the F-15E, F-16C, F/A-18 Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler, and P-8A Poseidon (Picture source: Lockheed Martin)

Development of the Mako began in 2017 under the U.S. Air Force’s Stand In Attack Weapon (SiAW) program, with approximately $35 million in funding. The aim was to provide the Air Force with a weapon capable of quickly and precisely neutralizing strategic targets within anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) systems, particularly in response to Chinese threats in the Asia-Pacific region. Measuring between 3.6 and 4 meters in length depending on the variant, with a diameter of 33 centimeters and a weight of approximately 590 kilograms, the missile can carry interchangeable 60-kilogram warheads and integrate various guidance systems. Its open digital architecture allows for rapid upgrades and reduces reliance on proprietary processes, offering advantages for future updates and cost control.

Physical compatibility tests have confirmed that the Mako can be carried internally by the F-22 and F-35A/C, as well as externally on aircraft such as the F-15E, F-16C, F/A-18 Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler, and P-8A Poseidon. Virtual tests have validated internal carriage on the B-1B, B-52H, and B-21 Raider bombers. Equipped with standard 30-inch lugs, it can be integrated with nearly the entire U.S. aerial arsenal and, with an additional booster, could also be launched from the vertical launch tubes of U.S. Navy ships, similar to the AGM-158C LRASM missile.

This level of compatibility enables new operational concepts. Lockheed Martin has, for example, considered a combined deployment in which fifth-generation stealth fighters act as forward scouts to detect and designate targets, passing the data to fourth-generation aircraft equipped with Sniper targeting pods and armed with Mako missiles to execute the strike. This division of roles would maximize available firepower while leveraging the specific strengths of each platform, especially in highly contested environments.

The Mako is powered by a solid-fuel rocket motor capable of reaching Mach 5 at high altitude while retaining maneuverability, significantly reducing the reaction time available to enemy defenses. Its modular design, combined with additive manufacturing for components such as the seeker fairing and control surfaces, helps shorten production timelines and improve industrial responsiveness. The use of advanced digital engineering makes it possible to simulate and validate variants directly in a virtual environment before manufacturing, optimizing development and facilitating series production.

The strategic context further underscores the relevance of this program. China is actively developing the YJ-21 hypersonic missile, already tested in both naval and air-launched versions. The Mako could enable the United States to close the gap in the hypersonic arms race and maintain strategic balance against such threats. In parallel, the May 2025 development of the Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI) by Northrop Grumman and Raytheon Technologies illustrates the complementary nature of offensive and defensive programs in this domain.

Internationally, Lockheed Martin has expressed interest in initial production in the United Kingdom before transferring industrial activity to the United States, as part of potential cooperation under the AUKUS agreement. The UK Ministry of Defence, aiming to achieve a sovereign hypersonic missile capability by 2030, is considering the Mako as a viable option. Collaboration with British and Australian industrial partners could facilitate technology sharing, cost distribution, and capacity building among the participating nations.

At present, the Mako has not yet received production funding from the U.S. Department of Defense. However, its inclusion by the U.S. Navy in the Other Transaction Authority (OTA) category would allow for accelerated funding should a favorable decision be made. If approved, the Mako could become a key element of the U.S. military inventory, combining speed, flexibility, and multi-platform compatibility, and could serve as an important asset in both aerial and naval operations in the coming decades.