BAE Systems unveils new layered air-defense system

BAE Systems unveiled new layered air-defense systems designed to counter missiles and drones on Monday at the annual meeting of the Association of the United States Army.

The international defense company introduced the Multi-Domain Artillery Cannon System, or MDACS, and the High-Power Microwave, or HPM, as complementary systems for protecting critical installations and field units.

Travis Langer, BAE Systems’ communication manager, explained to Military Times that the systems together fill a capability gap created by evolving technological threats and the military’s traditional procurement process.

“Both products complement existing air defense systems, but each offer a more cost-effective solution for defense against high-volume, low-cost threats allowing the preservation of high-value missiles for the most critical targets, which extends the life and effectiveness of the entire missile stockpile,” Langer said.

The Multi-Domain Artillery Cannon System

According to BAE Systems, MDACS forms the kinetic layer of the defensive shield, using precision-guided munitions called Hypervelocity Projectiles, or HVPs, for both offensive and defensive operations.

“It fills a gap that traditional artillery cannot, providing a scalable layer of protection that complements existing high-tier systems,” Langer said, adding that it allows the Defense Department “to maintain a sustainable defense without draining the budget on every single engagement.”

He explained MDACS combines high-accuracy guidance with the extreme velocity of the HVP. “We reduce the time-to-target and the window the enemy has to maneuver,” he said. “We are collaborating with the Army to integrate the organic sensor network and IBCS to ensure the system remains lethal even when GPS is unavailable.”

Compared with traditional missiles, HVPs are smaller and less expensive, allowing troops to carry tens to hundreds of rounds in a magazine. Rather than relying on a rocket motor, the projectiles use what the company describes as a “low drag aerodynamic design” to achieve high velocities, maneuverability and extended range.

For offensive operations, MDACS will fire the Scorpio-XR, the latest addition to the HVP family. Designed for artillery units, the projectile is expected to double the range of existing 155mm cannon-launched precision munitions, according to the company.

Langer added that MDACs will use HVP rounds to engage air targets, counter-missile and Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System, or C-UAS, while the Scorpio-XR round will be used to defeat fixed and moving ground targets in contested environments.

BAE Systems secured an Army agreement to develop a prototype of MDACS in January 2025, according to reports . The Army had planned to spend approximately $646 million on the project through fiscal year 2027.

The High-Power Microwave

BAE Systems describes its HPM system as a “scalable directed energy weapon” built with an emphasis on affordability. The company said 99% of the system’s components are commercial off-the-shelf parts.

Unlike kinetic weapons, the HPM uses “focused electromagnetic energy” to neutralize airborne threats, specifically “high-volume, low-cost” threats, such as drone swarms, that can strain conventional air defenses.

A video simulation of the system shows the HPM mounted on a trailer in a field. Its sensors automatically detect an approaching swarm of drones, prompting a large magnet to shift into position before the system unleashes what the company describes as “billions of pulses” at the airborne targets.

Although the system remains in the prototype stage, BAE Systems said it has reached Technology Readiness Level 6, or TRL 6. That designation means a technology has been demonstrated in a relevant environment beyond laboratory testing.

Langer explained that the two systems are not specifically designed to be used together, but they could complement each other if the mission set requires it.

“MDACS is C-130 transportable, allowing it to deliver rapid, high-rate firepower wherever the fight demands. It is designed to protect critical assets from drone attacks and missile threats, providing a scalable and efficient layer of protection,” he said.

Whereas he called the HPM “an effective layer of wide-area protection” that can complement existing kinetic and missile systems. Langer said it creates “a comprehensive shield for armed forces installations and forward-deployed units.”

As for when soldiers will begin fielding these new systems, Langer said they’re still prototypes. “Final testing and qualification decisions are made by the government,” he concluded.

Daniel Terrill is a contributor to Military Times. He’s been reporting on military issues, the gun industry, and the outdoors for nearly two decades. Although writing is his passion, he’s been a Marine, police officer, and, perhaps the most dangerous job of his career, a substitute teacher.

周一，在美军协会年会上，英国航空航天系统公司（BAE Systems）推出了旨在对抗导弹和无人机的新型多层防空系统。

这家国际防务公司推出了多域火炮系统（MDACS）和高功率微波系统（HPM），作为保护关键设施和野战部队的互补系统。

BAE 系统公司通讯经理特拉维斯·兰格向《军事时报》解释说，这些系统共同填补了不断演变的技术威胁和军队传统采购流程所造成的能力缺口。

兰格表示：“这两款产品都对现有的防空系统起到了补充作用，但它们各自都为防御大量、低成本的威胁提供了更具成本效益的解决方案，从而可以将高价值导弹用于最关键的目标，延长整个导弹库存的寿命和效能。”

多域火炮系统

据 BAE 系统公司称，MDACS 构成了防御盾的动能层，使用称为超高速弹丸（HVP）的精确制导弹药进行进攻和防御作战。

兰格表示：“它填补了传统火炮无法填补的空白，提供了可扩展的防护层，是对现有高级系统的补充。”他还补充说，这使得国防部“能够在不耗尽每次交战预算的情况下，维持可持续的防御”。

他解释说，MDACS系统将高精度制导与HVP的极高速度相结合。“我们缩短了到达目标的时间，也减少了敌方的机动窗口，”他说。“我们正与陆军合作，整合自主传感器网络和IBCS系统，以确保即使在GPS信号不可用的情况下，该系统仍然具有杀伤力。”

与传统导弹相比，高威力弹体积更小、成本更低，使部队能够在弹匣中携带数十至数百发弹药。这种弹药并非依靠火箭发动机，而是采用该公司所称的“低阻力空气动力学设计”，从而实现高速度、高机动性和更远射程。

在进攻作战中，MDACS将发射Scorpio-XR弹，这是HVP系列弹的最新成员。据该公司称，该弹专为炮兵部队设计，预计射程将比现有的155毫米炮射精确制导弹药增加一倍。

Langer补充说，MDAC将使用HVP弹药打击空中目标、反导弹和反无人机系统（C-UAS），而Scorpio-XR弹药将用于在对抗环境中摧毁固定和移动的地面目标。

据报道，BAE系统公司于2025年1月与美国陆军达成协议，开发MDACS原型机。陆军原计划在2027财年之前为该项目投入约6.46亿美元。

高功率微波

英国航空航天系统公司（BAE Systems）将其高功率微波（HPM）系统描述为一种“可扩展的定向能武器”，并强调其经济性。该公司表示，该系统99%的组件均为商用现成零件。

与动能武器不同，HPM 使用“聚焦电磁能”来消除空中威胁，特别是“高数量、低成本”的威胁，例如无人机群，这些威胁可能会给传统的防空系统带来压力。

一段系统模拟视频显示，高压脉冲发生器（HPM）安装在田野中的拖车上。其传感器会自动探测到正在接近的无人机群，随后一个大型磁铁会移动到指定位置，之后系统会向空中目标释放该公司所称的“数十亿次脉冲”。

尽管该系统仍处于原型阶段，但英国航空航天系统公司（BAE Systems）表示，其技术成熟度已达到6级（TRL 6）。这一级别意味着该技术已在实验室测试之外的相关环境中得到验证。

兰格解释说，这两个系统并非专门设计用于一起使用，但如果任务需要，它们可以相互补充。

“MDACS 可由 C-130 运输机运载，使其能够快速、高效地将火力部署到任何需要的地方。它的设计目的是保护关键资产免受无人机袭击和导弹威胁，提供可扩展且高效的防护层，”他说道。

他称HPM是“一层有效的广域防护”，可以与现有的动能和导弹系统形成互补。兰格表示，它为“武装部队设施和前沿部署部队创造了一个全面的保护屏障”。

至于士兵何时开始装备这些新系统，兰格表示它们目前仍处于原型阶段。“最终的测试和认证决定由政府做出，”他总结道。

丹尼尔·特里尔是《军事时报》的撰稿人。近二十年来，他一直报道军事问题、枪支行业和户外运动。虽然写作是他的挚爱，但他曾是一名海军陆战队员、一名警察，还做过一份或许是他职业生涯中最危险的工作——代课老师。