Navy MADCAP program eyes hypervelocity projectile for ship defense against drones

By Jason Sherman / January 14, 2025 at 7:22 PM
The Navy, after expending $1 billion in guided-missile interceptors against relatively low-cost targets during operations in the Red Sea, last year quietly began experimenting with hypervelocity projectiles to give the 5-inch guns across the destroyer and cruiser fleets a low-cost alternative to down drones, cruise and ballistic missiles. With funds appropriated as part of the fiscal year 2024 supplemental appropriation for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan, the Navy kicked off the previously unreported Major Caliber Anti-Drone Air Program (MADCAP) effort, using...

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