MDACS (Multi-Domain Artillery Cannon System)

[Forest Green]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2073329462431670311

View: https://x.com/Defence_blog/status/2073329462431670311?s=20


BAE releases first live-fire footage of its new artillery system
https://defence-blog.com/bae-releases-first-live-fire-footage-of-its-new-artillery-system/

Key Points

• BAE Systems released test footage on July 2, 2026, of its MDACS artillery system firing Hypervelocity Projectiles.
• The U.S. Army has budgeted about $646 million for MDACS development through fiscal 2027, with a battery prototype due that year.

According to BAE Systems’ own technical specifications, the projectile measures 26 inches (66 centimeters) as a complete launch package and weighs 40 pounds (18 kilograms), carrying a 15-pound (6.8-kilogram) payload designed with a low-drag aerodynamic shape that lets it achieve high velocity and maneuverability without needing a rocket motor to extend its range, unlike many guided munitions that rely on separate propulsion after leaving the barrel.

Depending on which gun system fires it, BAE Systems states the HVP can reach targets more than 40 nautical miles (74 kilometers) away from a Navy 5-inch gun, more than 70 nautical miles (130 kilometers) from the Navy’s Advanced Gun System, more than 43 nautical miles (80 kilometers) from standard 155mm tube artillery, and more than 100 nautical miles (185 kilometers) if fired from a future electromagnetic railgun, giving military planners a single common round compatible with multiple existing and future weapon platforms rather than a separate munition for each.

A complete MDACS battery, the operational unit the Army plans to field rather than a single gun, consists of eight Multi-Domain Artillery Cannons, four Multi-Function Precision Radars to detect and track incoming threats, two Multi-Domain Battle Managers to coordinate targeting and engagement decisions, and a minimum of 144 Hypervelocity Projectiles ready to fire. That structure reflects a deliberate design choice to build MDACS as a networked air defense system rather than a standalone weapon, since detecting a fast-moving drone or cruise missile early enough to intercept it requires radar coverage and automated battle management working in coordination with the guns themselves, not just a cannon capable of firing quickly.

 

[Big_Zukini]

The ratio of battle management and radars to guns seems quite excessive and indicates perhaps a standalone deployment.
I also do not understand why 2 battle managers per battery.

 

[Not James Stockdale]

The ratio of battle management and radars to guns seems quite excessive and indicates perhaps a standalone deployment.
I also do not understand why 2 battle managers per battery.

They would need one battle manager and primary and secondary radars for each platoon.

 

[TomS]

Exactly. Half-battery ops are likely, and the radars are going to need to move frequently and take time to set up. Hopefully the guns and battle manager vehicles can operate from a quick halt so they can truly shoot and scoot.

 

[DWG]

Exactly. Half-battery ops are likely, and the radars are going to need to move frequently and take time to set up. Hopefully the guns and battle manager vehicles can operate from a quick halt so they can truly shoot and scoot.

Bounding overwatch, perhaps? Half the battery moves while the other half covers it from incoming, then vice-versa.

 

[jsport]

https://www.facebook.com/vrsradio/v...-an-emerging-concept-in-mob/1329218912756953/

 

[Firefinder]

Former counterfire radar operator here.

Each battalion of 155mm guns, be it m109s 12 irc or m777s 18, have 6 radars.

Two antpq53s and 4 antpq50 lcmrs

Both are able to do air tracking just fire.

And expected to move no less then every 5 hours if radiating.

While the radar platoon has a counterfire squad of 4 to do the needed deconfliction and like to ensure we don't shell our own guns.

That is the Current set up and been a thing since 2015.

From the looks of it they merely just 1 to 1 swap the MTOE to do this.

 

[Josh_TN]

The ratio of battle management and radars to guns seems quite excessive and indicates perhaps a standalone deployment.
I also do not understand why 2 battle managers per battery.

It seems likely the fire platoons can operate independently. U.S. howitzer batteries do this as well; there are two FDCs per battery such that the fire platoons can operate completely independently. In fact I do not think this is strickly limited to a three guns; an FDC can be assigned any number of the battery guns by the HQ element.

 

[Firefinder]

One FDC can do all of the battalion fires , 12 to 18 guns, at like... 70 to 80 percent effectiveness depending on the units training.

Including counterfire.

Modern computing and GPS type shit has allow for ALOT of flexibility to be open up on controlling the guns.

The Army perfers that they stick to their own guns but like the redunancy of the extra FDCS cause they do not displace fast, and well shit happens.