Lockheed-Martin unveils Mako Hypersonic Missile at Sea Air Space 2024.

Lockheed-Martin, in cooperation with CoAspire, is currently presenting a new hypersonic missile, named "Mako," at the Sea Air Space 2024 expo held this week in Maryland. This advanced weapons system, designed to be deployed on the US Navy's F-35C fighters, promises to revolutionize the high-speed strike capabilities of the American armed forces.
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Lockheed Martin Mako hypersonic missile (Picture source: Lockheed Martin)

Named after a shark species known for its speed, the Mako can fly at speeds exceeding Mach 5. According to Rick Roy from Lockheed-Martin's Missile and Fire Control division, this missile is a "highly effective and affordable" multi-mission platform that can jeopardize numerous targets with a single weapons system.

This surprising development follows the Pentagon’s selection of Northrop Grumman to develop the "SiAW" supersonic missile, intended for the F-35A and the B-21 Raider, in a context of increased competition for arms contracts. Although Lockheed-Martin was not chosen for the SiAW, the company could redirect its prior research to create the Mako.

In addition to the F-35C, the Mako is also compatible with several other aerial platforms, including the F-22, F-16, F-15, F-18 Super Hornet, and the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. According to Mr. Roy, "There is nothing to prevent this missile from being launched from the surface, the ground, or even underwater," demonstrating its deployment flexibility.

The adoption of the Mako by the US Navy remains in question, particularly in light of the HALO program aimed at enhancing the anti-ship capabilities of the F/A-18 Super Hornet. This program has seen Lockheed-Martin and Raytheon Missiles & Defense each receive contracts worth $116 million. However, the weapons developed under this program are not strictly hypersonic, as stated by Rear Admiral Stephen Tedford at the Sea-Air-Space conference in 2023.

Lockheed-Martin emphasizes that the Mako is distinct from the HALO program. Meanwhile, CoAspire claims on its website to have developed a "hypersonic missile solution accepted by the US Navy," suggesting potential for future funding and adoption.

With this announcement, Lockheed-Martin and CoAspire are making a significant stride in the hypersonic arms race, offering a potentially transformative option for the defense strategies of the United States.