BAE Systems has unveiled the Multi-Domain Artillery Cannon System and a High Power Microwave system at AUSA as complementary counter-drone concepts, according to Army Technology’s report.
The company’s October 12 announcement describes the two as capability demonstrators. That is an important maturity distinction: the announcement establishes their proposed roles and vendor claims, rather than documenting an operational deployment or an independently tested defensive layer.
MDACS is the kinetic component. BAE says it is designed to use the guided Hypervelocity Projectile for air defense and Scorpio-XR ammunition against fixed and moving ground targets. The company also describes the cannon system as air-transportable and mobile.
HPM is the directed-energy component. BAE says microwave effects would counter drone swarms, with continued operation dependent on available electrical power. Its announcement states that more than 99% of the system uses commercial off-the-shelf components.
Army Technology reports the same intended division of roles: guided kinetic effects paired with microwave energy. The two sources should not be treated as independent proof of the manufacturer’s performance assertions, because the reporting relies on BAE’s announcement.
Neither account supplies independently verified engagement ranges, target-disruption thresholds, power requirements or operational reliability results. For technical readers, the evidence supports distinguishing the two mechanisms and their stated design roles while leaving effectiveness claims unverified.