Benelli introduces A.I Drone guardian last born of iconic M4 family as solution against UAV during battle.

The Italian shotgun specialist Benelli has developed a long-range weapon for short-range drone defense based on its proven M4 platform. The company announced this in a statement on August 12. The semi-automatic shotgun, called the M4 Advanced Impact (AI) Drone Guardian, is designed to be used with 6.1 mm buckshot (No. 4 buckshot). This weapon is intended to be low-cost and particularly effective while adapting to the shooter. Given the complexity of neutralizing drones in flight, this modified M4 is designed to be simple to use, with the point aimed at being the point hit within a range of about 50 meters.
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Press release of M4 AI Drone guardian (Picture source: Benelli)

According to the statement, the massive use of drones carrying reconnaissance weapons and armaments in future conflicts is evident. With the Drone Guardian shotgun, Benelli aimed to develop a simple and effective weapon for short-range defense of dismounted forces and the protection of assets. The manufacturer places the shotgun in the category of personal defense weapons, similar to the HK MP7, but against unmanned aerial vehicles.

It is not surprising that Benelli chose the semi-automatic M4 shotgun as the base for its new development. Developed more than two decades ago, the short-stroke gas piston with an auto-regulating gas system has become a success with many armed forces and authorities. This weapon is also already used in drone defense roles, for example by the Belgian armed forces and notably by Ukraine; moreover, a recently discussed video shows that the 12-gauge shotgun is being used on the front line.

The effective combat range of the Drone Guardian is estimated at 50 meters according to Benelli, with a maximum combat range of up to 100 meters. According to the manufacturer, the uniqueness of the AI version is that, thanks to a modified choke, the buckshot can be effective even at distances of 50 meters and beyond, maintaining a high level of speed and energy. The sight, mounted on the full-length MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail, consists of a front sight and aperture sight. A Steiner MPS red dot sight is also mounted depending on the shooter’s preference. The shotgun is offered in two different barrel lengths. The 18.5-inch version is intended for self-protection of dismounted forces, while the 26-inch longer-range version targets the asset protection sector and thus also the police market.

Concept of Benelli's enhanced aiming system mounted on A.I drone Guardian  (Picture source: Benelli)

The advantage of kinetic weapons for drone defense lies in the fact that, compared to jamming systems, even electronically hardened or fully autonomous drones can be combated. Moreover, shotguns, in particular, are inexpensive to purchase and use. The drawback lies in the extremely short time available for defense and the detection and tracking issues that have so far been barely resolved. Nevertheless, shotguns have proven to be a useful complement to current short-range drone defense means on both sides of the war in Ukraine.

The 12-gauge shotgun is a weapon that is massively used by all military units, not only for anti-drone efforts, as we have seen, but also for various uses such as breaching, neutralizing traps, or combating natural environments. The 12-gauge shotgun is frequently used for various purposes by the military, often considered more of a tool than a weapon. Its variety of ammunition allows it to breach doors, stop light vehicles, or cover a large area with a spread of pellets. Consequently, the Belgians and French have experimented with using this tool, already in use by conventional and non-conventional forces, for anti-drone efforts. France uses standard-issue weapons as an effective means against aviation. In conventional armies, slug rounds and buckshot are commonly used.

Data sheet of M4 A.I drone guardian according to version (Picture source: Benelli)