15 Top Cutting-Edge Close-In Counter Drone Weapons

by Julian Nettlefold,

The news that Ukraine had included .50 calibre machine guns for C-UAS applications, in its recent weapons request from the USA, triggered increased interest in .50 and smaller calibre weapons for C-UAS Applications.

BATTLESPACE Editor Julian Nettlefold was told by FNUK at DSEI that the .50 cal requirement was for close in C-UAS defence in urban areas.

This triggered the discussion that once a UAS penetrates the wall provided by larger calibre systems such as the Bushmaster 44, 30 calibre systems slaved to Echodyne radars, high energy lasers, drone-on-drone attack and microwave defence systems, this leaves forces behind this shield vulnerable without a vehicle, container-based and building mounted small calibre C-UAS system.

According to Allied Market Research, the global C-UAS market was worth $1.3bn in 2021, and is projected to reach $14.6bn by 2031, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 27.9 per cent.