Is Shotgun Ammo Better Than Rifle Ammo Against FPVs?
· news
Drones Over Guns: The Shotgun Revival in Modern Warfare
The modern battlefield has undergone significant changes since the days of artillery and traditional small arms. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, have become a common threat to soldiers, offering greater mobility and persistence than artillery but with similar lethality. In response, militaries worldwide are turning to shotguns as a primary means of defending against drones.
Shotguns may seem anachronistic in modern warfare, but they have proven surprisingly effective against small, agile targets like drones. Their spread of pellets gives soldiers a greater chance of hitting fast-moving targets than a single bullet from a rifle or pistol. Beretta Group’s Ballistician, Paul Bradley, advocates for shotguns as the best personal anti-drone weapon: “We need to give the end users as much chance as possible to connect with a target.”
The 1st Marine Division’s Counter-Drone Handbook provides insight into the effectiveness of different types of ammunition against drones. In tests, No.9 bird shot scored a 45% hit rate against targets flying in a straight line, while OO Shot only managed 5%. However, small perforations did not always stop a drone, and multiple cartridges might be needed to ensure a successful hit.
Ammunition choice is crucial when it comes to downing drones. Beretta’s Hexagon company conducted tests with Olympic trap shooter Aaron Heading using different types of shot against representative FPVs. They settled on Size 6 shot, which proved effective against plastic Mavic-type drones but struggled against carbon-fiber FPVs.
Tungsten shot is gaining traction as a more effective alternative to lead loads. Drones absorb significant kinetic energy due to their low inertia, making it difficult for traditional ammunition to bring them down. Bradley recommends the ADL-ER 120 cartridge, which features tungsten shot and has proven effective against FPVs in testing.
Russia’s state arms maker Rostec is producing “super-hard” Igla 100 12-Gauge anti-drone ammunition made from a tungsten-nickel-iron alloy. This ammunition is loaded with 42 grams of No 5 Buckshot, which indicates around 150 pellets. The alloy is described as 1.5 times denser than lead and has been claimed to be effective against drones in action.
The adoption of shotguns and specialized ammunition raises challenges. The British Army’s decision to train with pump-action shotguns questions the potential for multiple shots to be required to hit a drone, potentially leaving soldiers vulnerable to attack. Russia’s introduction of lightweight single-shot counter-drone shotguns has been met with skepticism, with one Russian blogger remarking that it would only be useful for shooting oneself.
Assault rifles are also being used as personal anti-drone weapons. The Ukrainian 5.56mm Horoshok (”Pea”) cartridge releases five lead pellets corresponding to No. 2 Buckshot and has been codified as a standard military item. However, multiple hits may be needed to stop a drone, suggesting that this approach is still in its infancy.
As militaries continue to grapple with the challenges posed by drones, it’s clear that shotguns will remain a key component of counter-drone strategies for the foreseeable future. While their effectiveness against small targets like drones has been demonstrated, the development of more specialized ammunition and refinement of existing technologies will be crucial in determining success.
The use of special ammunition to convert an assault rifle into a shotgun is another area worth exploring. This approach provides soldiers with an additional means of defending against drones but raises questions over the potential for multiple hits to be required to bring down a drone.
Ultimately, the proliferation of shotguns and specialized ammunition highlights the importance of innovation and flexibility in responding to emerging threats. As new technologies emerge and old ones are refined, militaries must adapt quickly to remain effective. The shotgun revival serves as a stark reminder that the battlefield is constantly evolving.
Reader Views
- RJReporter J. Avery · staff reporter
While shotguns are gaining traction as anti-drone measures, their real-world application remains uncertain. The Counter-Drone Handbook's emphasis on birdshot and OO Shot may be skewed due to testing limitations – straight-line targets don't always reflect the chaotic battlefield. Moreover, these tests often overlook the issue of collateral damage: a 45% hit rate is still a 55% miss, and shotgun pellets can easily ricochet off nearby surfaces or injure friendly troops. A more comprehensive approach would consider combining shotguns with other anti-drone measures, like electronic warfare tools, to mitigate these risks.
- ADAnalyst D. Park · policy analyst
While shotguns have indeed proven effective against drones due to their spread of pellets, militaries should also consider the logistical and training implications of arming soldiers with these firearms. Not all units are equipped or trained to handle shotguns, and integrating them into existing tactical protocols could be a challenge. Moreover, as drone technology continues to evolve, it's essential that ammunition suppliers invest in research and development to keep up with the changing threat landscape – merely settling on one type of shot may not suffice for the long term.
- CMColumnist M. Reid · opinion columnist
While shotguns are gaining traction as drone-defending tools, their effectiveness hinges on the type of drone and terrain. The article's emphasis on birdshot and tungsten rounds overlooks the impact of environmental factors – wind resistance, air density, and cluttered surroundings – which can render even the most potent shotgun ammo ineffective against agile drones. Moreover, as drones become increasingly hardened with composite materials, we may need to consider more advanced technologies, like kinetic disruptors or electromagnetic pulses, to neutralize these aerial threats effectively.