[3] Unlike larger hypersonic cruise missiles, the Mako offers a degree of standoff range and rapid response capabilities, making it suitable for a variety of military operations that require a shorter range than the Hypersonic Air Launched Offensive Anti-Surface (HALO) missile — which is optimized for anti-ship missions – or the much larger AGM-183A Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW).

[3] According to Rick Loy, Senior Program Manager for the Missile and Fire Control division at Lockheed Martin, the Mako is “compatible with any aircraft that has 30-inch lugs,” using the common BRU-32 heavy-duty ejector rack.

[3][4] Lockheed Martin has explored the missile's compatibility with various aircraft types, including electronic and physical fit-checking, on the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler, F-16, F-15, as well as all three versions of the F-35 Lightning II, among others.

[4] This is expected to reduce costs, which analysts have noted is particularly important in potential confrontations with major powers like China and Russia, where its hypersonic speed is crucial for stand-off engagements of time-sensitive targets such as mobile air defenses and ballistic missile systems, which are integral components of anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) strategies employed by these nations.

"[7] At the Farnborough International Airshow in England, on 25 July 2024, Lockheed Martin proposed opening its first Mako production facility in the UK to produce missiles for the RAF's Eurofighter Typhoons.