American defense corporation Lockheed Martin has expressed its willingness to develop a hypersonic missile on British soil before producing it in the United States. The company pointed to the Mako missile prototype, named after the fastest shark in existence, as an example of the weaponry it is prepared to create in Britain, according to Report, which cites The Telegraph.
This move marks a departure from Lockheed's usual standards, as the development of advanced weapons outside the US, which helped fund the initial work on Mako, is uncommon.
Tim Cahill, head of Lockheed's Missiles and Fire Control division, explained to The Telegraph that this technology exchange has been made possible through the AUKUS agreement, a military alliance between the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia.
The UK Ministry of Defence has been overseeing a consortium of around 80 companies since late 2023 to develop a British hypersonic missile project, with a deadline set for 2030.
These tight timelines may prompt the British MoD to collaborate with Lockheed, which has already invested years in developing similar weapons.