The US Army has selected BAE Systems to develop a prototype of the Multi-Domain Artillery Cannon (MDAC) system capable of firing hypersonic projectiles.
The contract, first announced late last year, was sole-sourced to the Virginia-based company, bypassing a competitive bidding process.
The MDAC system will consist of eight cannons, four precision radars, and two multi-domain battle management systems.
It will also include a minimum of 144 Hypervelocity Projectiles, which BAE Systems will also prototype.
The weapon will undergo a series of live-fire tests, culminating in a battery-level operational assessment by 2028.
Once deployed, the MDAC is expected to provide protection for US Army positions against hostile drones, missiles, and warplanes.
‘Highly Mobile’
The MDAC is envisioned as an advanced, self-propelled artillery system that can be transported by air.
It is expected to feature high automation, a large ammunition capacity, and a rapid rate of fire for added lethality.
The system will also integrate external targeting for enhanced operational efficiency and will be compatible with the Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS).
The most distinctive feature of the MDAC is its hypersonic anti-aircraft munition, which will be equipped with a rocket engine to achieve “ultra-high speeds.”
BAE Systems aims for a maximum speed of Mach 5 and a hit range of 80 kilometers (49.7 miles).
While the US Army has not disclosed the total value of the contract, it revealed that it plans to allocate $67 million for initial development work.
