The United States is developing a hypersonic anti-aircraft artillery system

The United States is actively working on the creation of new defensive technologies, one of which is a hypersonic anti-aircraft artillery system as part of the Multi-Domain Artillery Cannon (MDAC) program. On July 8, 2024, the US Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) issued a bid to develop prototypes of this system. It is expected that the new installations will significantly enhance air defense capabilities and become an effective alternative to traditional anti-aircraft missile systems.

MDAC: goals and requirements

The MDAC program is aimed at developing a highly mobile, air transportable 155 mm self-propelled artillery system. It is planned that the new installations will have a high degree of automation, large ammunition capacity and a high rate of fire. One of the key aspects of MDAC will be integration into the Battle Command System (IBCS) and the Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) network, which will provide external targeting and improve operational efficiency.

RCCTO plans to award a production contract for eight prototypes in the third quarter of fiscal year 2025. The transfer of the vehicles to the army is scheduled for the fall of 2027, after which they will undergo field tests. This timeline underscores the project's importance to the ongoing U.S. military modernization strategy.

Technological challenges and innovations

The development of a hypersonic anti-aircraft artillery system presents a complex technological challenge. Creating a system capable of effectively hitting hypersonic targets requires the use of advanced technologies and innovative solutions. Important aspects are:

1. High degree of automation: The installation must be capable of autonomous firing, which requires the development of complex control and guidance systems.

2. Integration into combat networks: Interaction with IBCS and IAMD requires a high degree of network integration, which will allow the system to receive external data about targets and quickly respond to them.

3. Hypersonic Projectiles: The development of hypersonic ammunition for artillery systems requires new materials and technologies that can withstand extreme loads during flight.

The MDAC project is expected to offer a cheap and effective alternative to existing anti-aircraft missile systems, which is especially important in the face of growing budget constraints.