BAE Systems Unveils High-Power Microwave Weapon to Counter Drone Swarm Attacks

BAE Systems recently unveiled two air defense technologies aimed at helping the U.S. Army counter large-scale drone attacks without relying entirely on traditional missiles. These systems combine high-power microwave weapons with artillery platforms, enabling the launch of precision-guided munitions against both aerial and ground targets. The technologies were unveiled at the 2026 Association of the United States Army (AUSA) exhibition, offering distinct approaches to the growing threat of drones. One system uses directed energy to counter drones without traditional ammunition, while the other relies on high-velocity projectiles for kinetic interception.

Advantages of the High-Power Microwave System

BAE Systems' high-power microwave (HPM) system uses electromagnetic energy to target drone swarms. As long as power supply remains continuously available, the system can engage successive threats continuously, eliminating the need for conventional weapons ammunition resupply. This capability is particularly critical when facing coordinated drone attacks designed to overwhelm air defenses. Missile-based interceptors have limited ammunition stocks, and replacing each shot imposes substantial logistical demands during sustained engagements. The HPM system's architecture consists of more than 99% commercial off-the-shelf components, an approach BAE says aids manufacturing and maintenance and allows engineers to adapt the system for different operational environments.

Its modular design supports four deployment configurations, including fixed installation, towed systems, combat vehicle integration, and maritime platforms. Each configuration can meet different power requirements and operational needs.

BAE also reports the system has reached Technology Readiness Level 6, with outdoor testing validating its operation, including tests involving billions of microwave pulses to record effects on targets. The Multi-Domain Artillery Cannon System (MDACS) provides a supplementary air defense option. The air-transportable platform launches different precision-guided munitions depending on the mission and target. Against aerial threats, MDACS can fire the Hypervelocity Projectile (HVP), a guided munition that gives the system a kinetic option against incoming threats, complementing the microwave weapon's directed-energy approach.

MDACS can also fire the Scorpio-XR, a precision-guided munition designed to strike fixed and moving ground targets. BAE says the Scorpio-XR's range is double that of existing precision-guided munitions fired from 155 mm artillery, and this extended range can help U.S. forces strike targets from greater distances in contested environments.

Battlefield Roles and Challenges of the Systems

The combination of air defense and ground-strike capabilities also expands the systems' potential battlefield roles. BAE positions the two systems as complementary parts of a layered defense. HPM provides sustained engagement against drone formations, while MDACS adds projectile options against both aerial and ground threats. BAE Systems Weapon Systems product line Vice President Jason Casciotti said the company aims to move mature technology into operational use more quickly. He noted that proven designs and a stable supply chain are key factors in that effort.

These systems address a core challenge of modern air defense: how to stop large numbers of relatively cheap threats without exhausting expensive interceptors. Directed energy could reduce ammunition demand, while kinetic weapons provide another method to engage targets. However, BAE's announcement did not confirm whether the U.S. Army has committed either system to operational service; their ultimate roles will depend on further development, testing, and procurement decisions.

How New Technology Changes Air Defense Strategy

BAE Systems' new technologies show significant potential in countering drone attacks, particularly the high-power microwave system's ability to engage threats continuously, reducing reliance on conventional ammunition. This capability is especially critical when facing large-scale coordinated attacks, because conventional missile supplies are limited and logistical demands are high. MDACS' supplementary function further expands operational options, combining the advantages of kinetic weapons and directed energy. These innovations not only enhance defensive capabilities but may also change operational patterns in future warfare, particularly when facing low-cost threats.