Aiming Down Unmanned Aerial Killers with a 12-Gauge Firearm
Going Old School to Fight New Age Warfare: The Rise of Shotguns Against Drones
The on-going Ukraine-Russia conflict has transformed warfare, thanks to a creative use of drones - from aerial spotters for artillery and bombs, to deadly, kamikaze drones blowing up soldiers and equipment. As chaos unfolds on Telegram with chilling FPV footage, soldiers and military personnel scramble for methods to protect themselves from these drone attacks. One unexpected yet effective solution making waves is the humble shotgun, a trusted weapon from the bygone era.
Let's face it: drones, even the cheap and fragile ones, may outpace a foot soldier and most military ground vehicles. However, they match or fall behind the speed of many game birds, typically flying at 30 to 46 mph. A popular commercial drone that frequently gets weaponized is the DJI Mavic 3, which, when not armed, boasts a max level flight speed of 46 mph and an endurance of 41 minutes. But add explosives and the drone becomes sluggish and its range greatly decreases.
Given their lightning-quick approach, it's a Herculean task to hit a drone with an assault rifle flying straight at you to do damage. This is where shotguns step in as a last-ditch defense to shoot down incoming kamikaze drones, making them indispensable for soldiers across the battlefield.
Ukraine has been quick to capitalize on this trend, investing in shotguns like the BTS-12, Safari HG-105M, and Benelli M4 A.I. Drone Guardian, which excel in range and penetration. On the Russian side, troops are armed with AK-style VEPR-12 and the more conventional MR-155 semiautomatic shotguns, capable of holding 20 rounds.
Innovative shotgun rounds designed to obliterate drones have also been developed. For instance, Rostec has created rounds loaded with pellets optimized for destroying drones, with enlarged pellets made from harder materials than those specifically designed for game hunting. Some rounds even act as tracers, guiding follow-on rounds into the attacking drone, significantly increasing its lethality.
Russian soldiers, finding themselves under siege by drone attacks, have been resourceful - creating mini shotgun shells for their AK-74 assault rifles. A seven-round burst can send over 50 steel pellets downrange, packing a powerful punch far beyond conventional shotguns. Under-barrel grenade launchers have also been redesigned to fire a single 12-gauge shotgun round, acting as a makeshift anti-drone weapon.
Shotguns, however, are only as good as the soldier wielding them. To be effective, soldiers must spot the drone, correctly identify it as hostile, and aim accurately, all in the span of seconds. Effective tactics and coordination are therefore paramount.
Russia has developed advanced passive detectors that can detect and track drones up to 1,000 meters away. Armed with this information, soldiers can orient themselves to effectively engage and counter the drone threats. Russia's military command has also recommended placing dedicated drone-hunting gunners at the rear of every vehicle near the front lines in case electronic warfare systems fail.
While the role of shotguns in drone defense is evolving, it's an essential and versatile component in the broader layered defense system that also includes electronic warfare, signal jamming, lasers, and other kinetic systems. Across the globe, companies are innovating to further enhance the effectiveness of shotguns against aerial threats, ensuring that humanity's oldest weapon remains relevant in the face of the latest technological advancements.
Yes, dust off that old double-barreled shotgun if you are a skilled soldier or a civilian facing an incoming drone. With the right aim, it will take the drone down without a doubt.
Sources:[1] https://www.theepochtimes.com/opinion/hunting-killer-drones-with-your-fathers-12-gauge_5827241[2] https://www.theepochtimes.com/russian-troops-adopting-innovative-drones-for-offensive-and-defensive-capabilities_5846540[3] https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-details/russian-企业开发新型专用霰弹枪枪支配弹匣供应到俄罗斯軍队[4] https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2022/01/20/the-ukrainian-military-is-experimenting-with-drones-as-flying-recoilless-shotguns/[5] https://www.eenews.net/article/defense-news/russian-troops-have--started-to-mount-12-gauge-shotguns-on-their-tactical-vehicles[6] https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2022/03/08/russian-troops-are-deploying-shotguns-mounted-on-tactical-vehicles-to-take-down-drones/
In the unprecedented warfare scenario, the traditional shotgun, previously thought outdated, has been reinstated as a vital weapon against modern drones. With shotgun rounds optimized for drone destruction, truthfully, these humble weapons have evolved to counter the latest technology in sports - aerial warfare.
Innovations in shotgun design and ammunition continue to rise, bridging the gap between ancient and contemporary warfare strategies, ensuring that the truth of humanity's oldest weapon remains relevant in the new age.
