Miniature Hit-to-Kill (MHTK)
- Size: The MHTK is just under 2.5 feet (76 cm) in length, with a diameter of about 1.6 inches (4 cm).
- Weight: It weighs only about 5 pounds (2.2 kg) at launch.
- Function: This interceptor missile was designed for the US Army to defeat incoming short-range threats like rockets, artillery, and mortar fire. It uses "hit-to-kill" technology, which destroys targets through kinetic energy without needing a conventional warhead.
Other small US missiles
Two other notable US guided munitions are the Navy's Spike missile and the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS).
Spike missile
- Status: A prototype guided missile developed by the US Navy in 2004 that was called "the world's smallest guided missile" at the time.
- Size: 25 inches (64 cm) long with a 2.25-inch (5.7 cm) diameter.
- Weight: 5.3 pounds (2.4 kg).
- Purpose: The Spike was designed as a low-cost, lightweight, man-portable weapon for engaging soft and lightly armored targets.
Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS)
- Status: While not a standalone missile, the APKWS is a guidance kit that converts a standard 2.75-inch unguided Hydra 70 rocket into a precision-guided munition.
- Size: The complete APKWS-guided rocket is significantly larger and heavier than the MHTK or Spike, with a diameter of 2.75 inches (70 mm).
- Function: It is used by all branches of the US military for precision strikes against targets while minimizing collateral damage.
