U.S. and Russia Test Anti-Drone Rounds for Standard Rifles to ...
AI Analysis
The U.S. and Russia are testing anti-drone rounds for standard rifles to counter FPV drone threats. The U.S. is using a 5.56 mm L-variant 'Drone Round,' while Russia's Kalashnikov Concern is testing a 5.45 mm multi-projectile cartridge.
Key Takeaways
- U.S. and Russia are developing anti-drone ammunition for standard infantry rifles.
- U.S. uses a 5.56 mm L-variant 'Drone Round' for M4 carbines.
- Russia's Kalashnikov Concern tests a 5.45 mm multi-projectile cartridge for AK-12 rifles.
- Efforts reflect the need for infantry to counter small, fast, low-flying drones.
- Both countries are addressing the tactical challenge of FPV drone threats.
Why It Matters
The development of anti-drone rounds for standard rifles signifies a shift in military tactics, emphasizing the need for infantry units to have organic capabilities against drone threats. This reflects the growing prevalence of drones in modern warfare and the necessity for adaptable countermeasures.
U.S. and Russia Test Anti-Drone Rounds for Standard Rifles to Counter FPV Drone Threats
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U.S. and Russia Test Anti-Drone Rounds for Standard Rifles to Counter FPV Drone Threats.
- 12 Apr, 2026 - 10:44
- Defense News Army 2026
On April 9, 2026, reporting from both Russia and the United States highlighted a shared tactical challenge: providing infantry units with an effective close-range response against small unmanned aerial systems. The Russian agency TASS and the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service each documented parallel efforts to address this issue.
Kalashnikov Concern reported testing a 5.45 mm multi-projectile cartridge designed to engage FPV drones, while U.S. forces were observed training with a 5.56 mm L-variant “Drone Round.” Although differing in technical detail and presentation, both initiatives illustrate a broader trend toward adapting standard infantry weapons for counter-drone roles. This development reflects the increasing prevalence of small unmanned systems on the battlefield and raises the prospect that individual soldiers may require an organic, last-resort capability to counter aerial threats at short range.
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U.S. and Russian reports reveal parallel efforts to equip infantry rifles such as the M4 carbine and the AK-12 with specialized ammunition designed to improve short-range defense against fast, low-flying drone threats (Picture Source: U.S. Army / Rosoboronexport)
The two reports reflect a similar operational concern even if they do not describe developments at the same stage of maturity. In the U.S. case, Defense Visual Information Distribution Service documented a familiarization activity at Oak Grove Training Center in North Carolina