BAE Systems shared photos from the test firing of the Multi-Domain Artillery Cannon, a new approach to gun-based air defence with a 155 mm gun firing HVP shells.
BAE Systems’ MDAC 155 mm multirole artillery for the US Army is continuing its test with firings, as the firm recently shared photos on social media. The artillery system to use Hypervelocity Projectile (HVP) guided rounds is intended to address air and surface targets. The HVP round, also developed by BAE Systems, can reach a muzzle velocity of 1300 m/s when fired from a full-length 155 mm barrel, which would, in theory, provide a range between short-range and medium-range air defence systems. The round, adopting a conic shape for minimum drag at supersonic speeds, uses fins and a datalink for guidance.
MDAC with guided rounds is projected to work alongside the Multi-Function Precision Radar (MFPR), providing search and targeting against aircraft and cruise missiles.
Compared to a SAM launcher, MDAC has the advantage of a considerably larger magazine. Still, rapid firing requires multiple guns to be present due to the low individual fire rate of 155 mm artillery guns.
Italy’s STRALES 76 mm naval gun is a smaller but comparable operational example to the MDAC+HVP duo, using the DART semi-active RF-guided ammunition, also employing a low-drag form and actuated fins. With a fire rate of 120 RPM, STRALES uses onboard illumination radar to guide the rounds to shoot down cruise missiles and low-flying aircraft. However, STRALES is only available to naval platforms for the time being, while MDAC is meant to be used by land forces as a mobile artillery.
Author: Kaan Azman
Editor: Özgür Ekşi
