Use of shotguns against drones

Lore & Background

The use of shotguns against small low flying unmanned aerial vehicles became prevalent with the large scale use of commercial FPV drones in the Russo-Ukrainian war. Used models are the Vepr-12 and Remington Model 870 type shotguns. Shotguns provide more effective against drones than regular rifles because of their spreading pattern of multiple projectiles. Damaging one of the propellers on a small quadcopter unbalances it, which is sufficient to make it incapable of flying.

Ukraine acquired 4000 Turkish Hatsan Escort BTS-12 semi-automatic Bullpup shotguns. The Kleine Brogel Air Base has adapted the Benelli M4 Super 90 to counter unauthorized unmanned aerial vehicles. Benelli Armi released the M4 A.I. Drone Guardian, citing use against small quadcopter FPV drones, available in 18.5 and 26 inch barrel lengths.

Rosyanka is an adapter for the GP-25 underbarrel grenade launcher, meant to fight small drones. Like the GP-25 it works as a single shot launcher, but with 12-gauge ammunition instead. Skynet shotgun shells are 12-gauge shells that contain a net, they can be launched from a regular 12ga shotgun.

Reader's Guide

The significance of shotguns against drones lies in their practical effectiveness during the Russo-Ukrainian war, where commercial FPV drones were used on a large scale. The shotgun's spreading pattern of multiple projectiles offers a clear advantage over regular rifles, as damaging a single propeller on a small quadcopter unbalances it and renders it incapable of flying. This principle drove the adoption of models such as the Vepr-12 and Remington Model 870.

National adaptations include Ukraine's acquisition of 4000 Turkish Hatsan Escort BTS-12 semi-automatic Bullpup shotguns, and the Belgian Kleine Brogel Air Base adapting the Benelli M4 Super 90. Manufacturers responded with purpose-built products: Benelli Armi released the M4 A.I. Drone Guardian in two barrel lengths, and the Rosyanka adapter allows 12-gauge ammunition to be fired from a GP-25 underbarrel grenade launcher. Specialized ammunition like the Skynet shotgun shell, which contains a net, further expands the shotgun's anti-drone capability. These developments reflect a focused effort to counter the threat of small unmanned aerial vehicles using existing and adapted shotgun platforms.

Did You Know?

• Shotguns are more effective against drones than regular rifles due to their spreading pattern of multiple projectiles.
• Damaging one propeller on a small quadcopter unbalances it, making it incapable of flying.
• Skynet shotgun shells contain a net and can be launched from a regular 12ga shotgun.