Ukraine’s army of ground robots to China’s AI-empowered predator drones. Countering these systems, especially drones, has compelled militaries to innovate, utilizing an array of measures from high-energy laser cannons to fish nets for halting waves of drones inundating cities and military facilities in conflict zones worldwide.
A significant obstacle in combating drone swarms lies in sheer numbers. As militaries frequently deploy hundreds of assault drones daily, taking down these drones can swiftly exhaust ammunition supplies. The stark cost contrast between expensive interceptor missiles and low-cost attack drones, which can be priced at merely a few thousand dollars, accentuates the urgency for developing budget-friendly defense strategies. One approach could involve enhancing traditional low-cost weapon systems, such as rifles, to improve their efficiency against drone swarms.
An example of such technology is Smart Shooter’s SMASH 2000L smart scope. This rifle attachment enables soldiers to track and eliminate drones through an optic’s fire control system; the SMASH 2000L represents the most recent anti-drone technology integrated by the U.S. Marine Corps. Allegedly, the scope upgrades Marine rifles into effective drone defense mechanisms via an autonomous system that conducts ballistic calculations and inhibits the firing of rounds that are unlikely to strike their targets.