US Army Initiates Development of 155mm Anti-Aircraft Artillery System.

The United States Army has embarked on a step toward modernizing its anti-aircraft capabilities with the announcement of a new project to develop a 155mm hypersonic artillery system. Announced on July 8 through a government website, the Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) outlined its plans to procure prototypes of the Multi-Domain Artillery Cannon (MDAC), envisioned as a highly mobile, self-propelled, wheeled artillery system designed to counter aerial and missile threats. Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

US Army Multi-Domain Artillery Cannon Program (Picture source: US Army)

The initiative, known as the Multi-Domain Artillery Cannon (MDAC), is managed by the RCCTO, which has recently published a request for information from potential contractors capable of delivering such a system. The Army plans to award a contract for the production of eight prototypes in the third quarter of fiscal year 2025, with delivery expected in fall 2027, followed by extensive field testing.

The MDAC program aims to provide an effective and cost-efficient alternative to traditional anti-aircraft missile systems. By integrating the new artillery system into the Army’s existing defense networks, including the Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) and the Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) network, the MDAC will benefit from external targeting capabilities, enhancing its operational effectiveness.

A key feature of the MDAC is its use of a hypersonic projectile, expected to be the Hyper Velocity Projectile (HVP) developed by BAE Systems. Initially part of a railgun development program since 2013, the HVP was later adapted for use in 127-mm naval guns and 155-mm land artillery systems. This projectile, capable of reaching speeds of Mach 5 and covering distances up to 80 kilometers, can be configured as purely kinetic or equipped with up to 900 grams of explosives.

During a demonstration in September 2020, an experimental HVP successfully engaged a BQM-167 Skeeter aerial target using the M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzer, demonstrating its precision and effectiveness. Despite its advanced capabilities, the cost of the HVP, recorded at $86,000 in 2018, remains significantly lower than traditional missiles used in man-portable air defense systems.

The MDAC project not only aims to bolster the U.S. Army’s defensive capabilities but also to ensure the integration of cutting-edge technology into traditional artillery platforms, thus maintaining operational superiority and flexibility across multi-domain battlefields.