贝内利公司的“无人机卫士”(AI Drone Guardian)系统基于其著名的M4步枪开发。贝内利公司的代表在巴西圣保罗举行的拉丁美洲航空航天与防务展(LAAD)上表示,这款已在欧洲销售的反无人机(C-UAS)系统正在向拉美国家推广。
贝内利防务部门销售主管毛罗·德拉·科斯坦扎指出,“高级打击”无人机卫士12号口径散弹枪提供了一种“最后手段”,用于应对那些突破了所有其他防空层级的FPV无人机或其他无人机系统。虽然该枪尚未在拉美地区售出,但公司看好巴西和阿根廷的市场机遇。
目前,该系统已销往意大利、法国、西班牙、德国、丹麦、挪威、瑞典、威尔士、爱沙尼亚、立陶宛、克罗地亚和斯洛文尼亚。韩国和日本也对该系统进行了测试。名称中的“高级打击”(Advanced Impact)指的是贝内利应用于M4步枪的新型枪管技术,其穿透力比普通12号口径散弹枪发射的同种弹药高出50%以上。
根据资料,该武器提供18.5英寸和26英寸两种枪管版本。德拉·科斯坦扎表示,无人机通常在100米左右的距离被击落,但在某些演示中,拦截距离已达到140米。欧洲对该系统的兴趣主要源于防范类似冲突中的无人机入侵,而拉美市场的需求预计将主要来自执法机构。
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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