Lockheed Martin flight tests new short-range missile

The test flight, conducted at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, demonstrated the reliability of the MHTK missile, which has received upgraded electronics and a next-generation airframe upgraded from the original design.

The improved MHTK provides increased agility and solidifies Lockheed Martin's upgrades, the company says, and it is billing it as the "solution" for incoming rocket, artillery and mortar attacks.

"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," Tim Cahill, vice president of Integrated Air and Missile Defense at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, said in a press release. "The design of the MHTK interceptor enables a highly effective solution in a very compact package."

"This test is exciting because it is another successful milestone demonstrating the interceptor's revolutionary capabilities. We look forward to building on this success," said Cahill.

The MHTK is less than two and a half feet in length and weighs around five pounds at launch. The interceptor uses kinetic energy in body-to-body contact to accurately target indirect fire while in flight, with the aim of destroying the threat before it hits the intended target.

In addition to developing the MHTK with the U.S. Army -- which had slowed its work on the weapon -- Lockheed's international business development director for air and missile defense, Bob Delgado, said in 2016 the company also planned to explore selling the missile to international customers.