Lockheed Martin conducted a successful test of its Miniature Hit-to-Kill (MHTK) missile at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, January 26, according to a company release. The test was the first for the missile’s updated electronics and a second test of its next-generation airframe. The Lockheed Martin-funded test demonstrated the airframe’s increased agility and validated the new electronics, both of which are now common to the two different MHTK configurations.

The pint-sized MHTK is being developed with both active and semi-active seekers but high commonality between the two configurations in order to increase affordability. The missile is meant to affordably protect ground troops from rocket, artillery, and mortar (RAM) threats. MHTK promises to deliver greater reliability, accuracy, and range than current systems on a smaller logistics footprint. The missile itself is less than 2.5 feet long and weighs approximately 5 pounds at launch. It lacks an explosive warhead and instead employs a highly agile hit-to-kill system that destroys its targets through kinetic energy.

“The U.S. Army and international customers have made it clear that today’s global security environment demands agile, close-range solutions that protect warfighters and citizens from enemy rockets, artillery and mortars. The design of the MHTK interceptor enables a highly effective solution in a very compact package,” said Tim Cahill, vice president of Integrated Air and Missile Defense at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “This test is exciting because it is another successful milestone demonstrating the interceptor’s revolutionary capabilities. We look forward to building on this success.”