New directed-energy and kinetic technologies will aim to drone swarms and multi-asset aerial threats
BAE Systems has displayed two defence technology demos at AUSA 2026: The Multi-Domain Artillery Cannon System (MDACS) and a High-Power Microwave (HPM) system. They’re aimed at layered defence against unmanned aircraft and missile threats.
The MDACS is a kinetic system armed with precision-guided munitions (PGM) such as the Hypervelocity Projectile for an air defence role. In addition, the system is also intended to cater for a ground-target role with the company’s Scorpio XR munition.
HPM adopts a different approach that involves using directed electromagnetic energy to disable the electronics of an enemy drone. When employed against a drone, a regular missile has to be used for each attack, whereas the microwave system might neutralise several targets in one engagement (depending on its operational limits).
According to BAE: “The HPM architecture employs more than 99% commercial off-the-shelf elements.” The companies say they designed the technologies to work together with a fusion of physical and directed energy approaches to enhance counter-drone defence networks against large swarms.
The systems were pitched as capability demonstrators rather than validation of full-scale operational deployment.
