Military and Strategic Journal
Issued by the Directorate of Morale Guidance at the General Command of the Armed Forces
United Arab Emirates
Founded in August 1971

2018-06-03

Lockheed Martin’s Game Changing Hit-to-Kill Missile Technology

A technology leader working around the globe, Lockheed Martin has been a close partner of the Middle East since 1967. Vice Admiral (Ret) Andy Winns, Lockheed Martin’s Middle East-Africa Regional Executive spoke with Nation Shield during the recently-concluded SOFEX about the diverse defence capabilities of Lockheed Martin ranging from tactical aircraft to missile defence solutions.  

By: Sakha Pramod
 
Can you tell us about Lockheed Martin’s presence at this year’s SOFEX?
SOFEX gave us an opportunity to engage with our local partners and to showcase our latest advanced technologies. Lockheed Martin has been a close partner with Jordan since 1967, with the delivery of the F-104 aircraft. Since then, the partnership has expanded and evolved into robust security and technology solutions to strengthen the Kingdom’s sovereignty. We’re proud to have participated again this year to build more meaningful partnerships with the Kingdom’s leadership and the Royal Jordanian Armed Forces.
 
What special technologies did you showcase this year?
We showcased a cross section of our latest products and technologies at SOFEX. Among those on display were technologies ranging from tactical aircraft to integrated air and missile defence solutions. One of the key products of special interest was our Miniature Hit-to-Kill (MHTK) missile. Today’s warfare demands agile, close-range solutions to combat rocket, artillery and mortar threats, and this technology is really game changing. 
 
Shorter than a yardstick, MHTK retains the range and lethality required of a counter-RAM solution. MHTK uses Hit-to-Kill technology, which destroys threats through an extremely accurate application of kinetic energy in body-to-body contact. Hit-to-Kill technology eliminates the incoming threat while reducing the risk of collateral damage seen in traditional blast-fragmentation interceptors. 
 
The MHTK interceptor is less than 2.5 feet (72 cm) in length and weighs about 5 pounds (2.2 kg) at launch. The mini missile has the potential to bring miniaturised capabilities to the warfighter with lower costs and reduced logistic footprints, while opening a world of opportunities for applications of small interceptors.
 
UH-60L and UH-60M were both on display at SOFEX. Could you tell us about the missions of Black Hawk and the mission support it does in Jordan?
The BLACK Hawk multirole helicopter serves with the U.S. military and the armed forces of 28 other countries worldwide as a tough, reliable utility helicopter. During the last 40 years, this remarkable aircraft has fought its way in and out of countless combat zones to deliver and extract troops, save lives as a MEDEVAC or casualty evacuation platform, provide critical supplies to troops, deliver emergency supplies during natural disasters, and perform as an aerial firefighter and border patroller.
 
The UH-60M is more effective with its integrated digital cockpit, moving map display, enhanced GPS/INS system and fully coupled flight controls. It is more powerful with T700-GE-701D engine and new wide chord blades and more survivable with an enhanced laser warning system (AVR2B), Upturned Exhaust System, and the Common Missile Warning System (CMWS).

Now the modern variant of this utility aircraft is taking on a new mission set — as an Armed Helicopter to provide fire suppression when supporting ground troops, as well as armed escort. With digital avionics, powerful GE engines, high strength airframe structures and composite wide chord rotor blades, today’s BLACK Hawk platform has better survivability and situational awareness, and can fly higher and carry more than its predecessors ever did. More than 4,000 BLACK Hawk aircraft of all types are in service worldwide today.
 
Jordan’s Black Hawk helicopters serve a diverse range of missions, from combat assault and peacekeeping to disaster relief, medical evacuation and VIP transport. UH-60M VIP Black Hawks transport the Royal family, Jordanian officials, visiting Heads of State and other dignitaries. The Jordanian Special Operations Aviation Brigade flies Black Hawks for special operations and border security, while the Royal Jordanian Air Force operates Black Hawks in its Royal Squadron.
 
Tell us about your new partnership with King’s Academy?
Recently we announced our state-of-the-art “Lockheed Martin Robotics Incubator” to advance STEM education in the Kingdom at King’s Academy, a foremost boarding school here in the region. 
 
Cultivating talent at the earliest stages with practical STEM initiatives will ensure that Jordan continues to nurture the brightest minds that will lead their country’s quest for innovation and discovery. As a technology leader working around the globe, we understand that the security and progress of a community, business and country is dependent on its next generation.
 
The ‘Lockheed Martin Incubator’ research facility supports equipment, technology and software that will complement the institution’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) curricula. The cutting-edge space will be available for use to all King’s Academy students in grades 7 to 12. 
 

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