US announces Mako hypersonic missile: “Shark” changes the game
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| Mako |
| Source: Orbital Today |
Length: about 4 m
Diameter: 33 cm
Weight: 590 kg
Warhead: 59 kg
Speed: Mach 5+ (5 times faster than the speed of sound)
Outstanding advantages
Mako is designed with an open modular architecture, allowing easy change of warheads, guidance systems and reducing upgrade costs. 3D printing technology is applied in many parts, helping to increase production speed and reduce costs. In particular, Mako has the ability to fire salvos, optimized for mass attacks on many targets.
Multi-purpose and flexible
Unlike many bulky supersonic missiles, Mako is compatible with most modern fighter aircraft: F-35, F-22, F-15, F-16, F/A-18, even P-8A patrol aircraft. With its optimal size, it can be carried inside the weapon bay to maintain stealth features, and is capable of being deployed from submarines or surface ships via a vertical launch system (VLS).
Strategic Context
Mako originated from the Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW) program in 2017. Although the contract was officially awarded to Northrop Grumman, Lockheed continued to develop Mako as a response to China's anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) systems.
Global Impact
Lockheed Martin asserts that Mako is not only for the US military but also for the international market, especially within the framework of AUKUS (US-UK-Australia) cooperation. If mass produced, Mako could change the balance of power in the Pacific and beyond.
With the combination of hypersonic speed, flexible design and reasonable production cost, Mako is emerging as a real "shark" in the sky, promising to reshape the hypersonic weapons landscape in the next decade.
