In the escalating drone wars, where fiber optic and First-Person View (FPV) drones threaten soldiers and civilians alike, one man is turning the art of clay shooting into a battlefield advantage.
Lieutenant Marco Angelelli, an Italian Air Force reserve officer and Italian Clay Pigeon Shooting Federation (FITAV) athlete, has developed a groundbreaking training program to teach battlefield operators how to use shotguns to fight off small, agile drones. As a follow-up to my previous article, “Countering Drone Swarms,” I sat down with Angelelli to explore how his decade of competitive clay shooting has helped his Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS) techniques. From the best shotguns to specialized ammunition and training drills, Angelelli shares his insights on why shotguns remain a soldier’s best defense against the drone threat.
Best Shotguns for Countering FPV Drones
Question: In your experience, what shotguns have you found to be most effective and reliable for countering FPV drones, and what are the standout features that one should look for in a shotgun to suit this role?
Angelelli: I had the opportunity to participate in the development of the new Benelli Defense M4 AI Drone Guardian shotgun, the only shotgun designed for C-UAS/FPV drones. So, after firing thousands of rounds, I can say that the Benelli shotgun is currently the best on the market. It combines the reliability of the M4 with the technology of the new Advanced Impact barrel. The characteristics of a shotgun for C-UAS/FPV operations must certainly be reliability in all conditions and an effective range of at least 100 meters.”
Angelelli’s endorsement of the Benelli M4 AI Drone Guardian highlights its purpose-built design for C-UAS. The Advanced Impact barrel extends its range to more than 100 meters, crucial for engaging FPV drones that move at speeds up to 90 km/h – similar to the clay targets Angelelli mastered in FITAV competitions. The M4’s long proven reliability in harsh conditions, like dust, mud or rain, ensures the shotgun performs when lives are on the line, making it a standout for urban and battlefield drone defense.
Worst-Performing Shotguns for C-UAS
Q: What shotguns should be avoided, and what limitations (e.g., range, reliability, or handling) make them less than ideal for targeting small, agile drones?
Angelelli: “What I can say is that the Ukrainian armed forces initially adopted Turkish ‘bullpup’ shotguns but later adopted Italian shotguns.”
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