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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