Ukrainian drone manufacturer Sky Defenders has tested a new variant of a fixed-wing UAS equipped with a shotgun. A video of the test flight was published on the company’s TikTok page, showcasing the drone’s capabilities.
The UAS, launched via a ground-based catapult, features a nose-mounted shotgun fitted with a sighting scope for precision targeting during flight. A rotating digital camera, mounted on top of the drone, aids in target acquisition and is reportedly the same model used on the ZigZag interceptor drone. To maintain speed and support an increased payload, engines are positioned on each wing console.
The use of weaponized drones has been an ongoing tactic for Ukrainian forces. UAV operators from the 30th Mechanized Brigade have previously mounted a double-barreled rifle on a quadcopter drone to intercept Russian reconnaissance UAS. According to the brigade’s press service, as of January 15, 2025, 20 enemy drones have been destroyed using this method.
Beyond counter-drone operations, armed UAS have also been deployed against ground targets. The “Queen of Hornets” drone, developed by the BULAVA unit, has been fitted with an AK-74 rifle for infantry engagement. The same platform has also been modified to carry a Bulspike-AP grenade launcher.
The Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to experiment with integrating small arms onto multicopter drones. Previous adaptations include mounting a 7.62 mm PKM machine gun and a Bullspike anti-tank grenade launcher onto a DJI Agras T30 drone, further expanding the role of UAS in combat operations.
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Post Image: The moment a shotgun drone shot down a Russian UAS. (Post Image Credit – 30th Separate Mechanized Brigade
