贝内利的“AI无人机卫士”是基于M4步枪平台开发的。2026年4月14日，贝内利公司代表在巴西圣保罗举行的拉丁美洲航空航天与防务（LAAD）展会上表示，公司正在向拉美国家推销这款已在欧洲销售的反无人机（C-UAS）武器。
这款12号径散弹枪被称为“高级冲击（AI）无人机卫士”，定位为当第一人称视角（FPV）或其他无人机突破所有其他防空网时的“最后手段”。该武器采用了新型枪管技术，其穿透力比发射同类弹药的典型12号径散弹枪高出50%以上。目前提供18.5英寸和26英寸两种枪管版本。
该系统已销往意大利、法国、西班牙、德国、丹麦、挪威、瑞典、爱沙尼亚、立陶宛、克罗地亚和斯洛文尼亚。韩国和日本也对其进行了测试。在演示中，该武器击落无人机的平均射程约为100米，部分情况下可达140米。贝内利认为，拉美市场的需求主要将来自执法部门，用于防范无人机侵扰。
Benelli's AI Drone Guardian is based on an M4 rifle (Janes/Meredith Roaten)
A counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) M4 rifle that has been sold in Europe is being pitched to Latin American countries, a company representative from Benelli Armi SpA told Janes on 14 April.
The Advanced Impact (AI) Drone Guardian 12-gauge shotgun provides a “last resort” for when First Person View (FPV) or other unmanned aerial systems (UAS) make it past all other air defences, Mauro Della Costanza, head of sales in Benelli's defence division, said at the Latin America Aerospace and Defence (LAAD) Security Military Police conference in São Paulo, Brazil.
The gun has not been sold in the region, but Benelli sees opportunities largely in Brazil and Argentina.
The weapon has been sold to Italy, France, Spain, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Wales, Estonia, Lithuania, Croatia, and Slovenia, he told Janes. South Korea and Japan have tested the systems.
Advanced Impact in the weapon's name refers to the new barrel technology that Benelli has applied to the M4 rifle. “Most of the times you can reach a deeper penetration of plus 50% compared to the same ammunition fired” from a typical 12-gauge shotgun.
There are two variants, the 18.5 in (14.99 cm) and 26 in (66 cm), according to a Benelli pamphlet.
UAVs have been shot down at ranges of around 100 m on average, but in some demonstrations, the weapons have reached a range of 140 m, Della Costanza said.
While Europe's interest comes from protecting against UAS incursions such as those seen in the Russo-Ukrainian conflict, Latin American demand is expected to come from law enforcement.
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