BAE Systems displayed its Multi-Domain Artillery Cannon System (MDACS) for the first time at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) in Washington, DC, held 12 to 14 October 2026.
The MDACS is a tactical, truck-mounted 155mm cannon system intended to engage and destroy manoeuvring targets, particularly cruise missiles. The system uses hypervelocity, guided, low-drag projectiles that deliver kinetic energy to the target. The hypervelocity projectiles (HVP) have been proven in the Mark 45 5-inch/54 calibre naval gun and have been successfully employed in combat. At velocities up to Mach 5, the projectile destroys the target on a direct hit.
The cannon automatically loads from an integrated magazine, allowing rapid firing to engage multiple targets in succession. The weapon system can also deliver long-range ground strike fires using the precision Scorpio-XR round against fixed and moving ground targets. The system is air transportable by C-130.
Using a cannon-launched projectile not only enhances capability to engage multiple incoming threats but also achieves this at substantially lower cost per projectile than guided missiles with comparable range. In addition, reloading and ammunition replenishment are straightforward, and projectile handling is no different from other conventional guided artillery rounds, meaning existing logistics chains and procedures can be used. This would include the ability to rearm HVP cannon at sea if mounted on naval combatants.
MDACS is an element of a multi-layered air defence system and will be networked within the US Army Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS). BAE Systems received its contract to develop a system prototype in January 2025, with a commitment to a battery-level operational assessment and live-fire demonstrations in 2027 and 2028.
by Stephen W. Miller
