Martlet

Overview

The Thales Martlet, designated the Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM), is a compact precision-guided weapon that has become a key element of the United Kingdom's counter-UAS capability. At just 13 kg, Martlet is light enough to be carried in large numbers on helicopters, ships, and vehicles, yet precise enough to hit small, maneuvering drone targets with high reliability thanks to its laser beam-riding guidance system.

Development History

Martlet was developed by Thales UK as a lightweight multi-role missile to replace the aging Sea Skua and provide British forces with a precision weapon for engaging small, elusive targets. The program was initiated in the 2000s with the missile entering qualification testing in the 2010s. As the counter-UAS mission gained urgency, Martlet was evaluated and qualified for the anti-drone role, offering a cost-effective guided munition significantly cheaper than full-size air defense missiles.

Operational Concept

In the counter-UAS role, Martlet is typically deployed on Wildcat helicopters or naval vessels equipped with a laser designator. When a drone threat is detected, the operator designates the target with a laser and launches the Martlet, which rides the laser beam with high precision to intercept the drone. The blast-fragmentation warhead ensures destruction even if the laser spot drifts slightly from a small target. Multiple Martlets can be carried per platform, enabling engagement of several drone threats in a single sortie.

Future Development

Thales is developing an active laser seeker variant of Martlet that would provide fire-and-forget capability against UAS targets, eliminating the need for continuous operator designation. Integration on additional platforms and enhanced warhead options are also being explored to expand Martlet's utility across the counter-UAS mission.