Lockheed Martin optimises hypersonic Mako missile with Additive Manufacturing
September 11, 2024
Lockheed Martin has reported that its multi-mission hypersonic Mako missile, unveiled in April 2024, is among the company’s first generation of missiles designed entirely in a digital engineering ecosystem. Whilst Mako leverages existing components that reduce cost, Lockheed Martin said it explored ways to innovate, to make it more quickly and more affordable.
To this end, transformational processes such as an all-digital design and Additive Manufacturing significantly reduce cost and schedule. The company reports using Additive Manufacturing for a number of components, including the guidance section and fins.
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The additively manufactured guidance section reportedly met all engineering requirements. It was produced at one-tenth the cost of traditional manufacturing and ten times faster.
The missile is also said to benefit from model-based systems engineering best practices and an integrated, model-based enterprise that supports the weapons life cycle. Because it has been digitally developed with producibility in mind, manufacturing engineers have been in the loop from the start to ensure a seamless transition into production, Lockheed Martin states.
At 560 kg, the missile is 33 cm in diameter and 4 m long. It has been physically fit-checked externally on a variety of aircraft, including F-35, F/A-18, F-16, F-15 and P-8, and internally on the F-22 and F-35C.
