4 ms·

The problem with shotguns is that you either have a small number of pellets (12ga) or a small amount of mass to do damage (bird shot). So with 12ga specifically

The problem with shotguns is that you either have a small number of pellets (12ga) or a small amount of mass to do damage (bird shot). So with 12ga specifically, while it's more effective than a rifle round -- the pellets spread quickly enough that it's only a huge advantage when the drone is in the terminal phase. This is why in WW2, they would put timed fuses inside the AA shells so that they didn't have to hit the aircraft directly with the shell but the round didn't spread so far that it was useless.

newsclues 2y ago
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shotgun_slug https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shotgun_slug
- jvanderbot 2y ago
  You may as well use rifle bullets then.
  - red-iron-pine 2y ago
    and the rifled bullets will be more aerodynamic and also have rifling for stability. .50 BMG or an autocannon or something. shotgun slugs aren't usable in any serious, consistent way outside of maybe 20 meters (~60 ft). nasty stuff if you're in range, through.
    - newsclues 2y ago
      Bullets do not have rifling, that is done by the barrel of the rifle. Shotgun slugs can be useful well beyond 20 meters. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shotgun_slug#:~:text=A%20slug%20also%20becomes%20increasingly,(910%20m)%20or%20more https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shotgun_slug#:~:text=A%20slug%.... As a Canadian, I am normally not the one correcting others on the basics of firearms.
jvanderbot 2y ago
I hear you, and a prox shell would be ideal, but I have a hard time seeing the comparisons. The scale of attack drones is so small and fast and close, and the drones are very fragile. Perhaps the hand grenade "bomber" types can be far enough up, but the FPV impactor types are right up in your face and have to fly at you to be effective.
- JohnBooty 2y ago
  I would be surprised if we didn't eventually see something like you describe. I could see it protecting bases, trenches, encampments, etc. But I think an open question is if it could be made portable enough to tote around on the battlefield.
  - okwhateverdude 2y ago
    4-legged robot mule with ordinance. I mean, they are already putting rifles on the robot dogs.

newsclues 2y ago

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shotgun_slug https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shotgun_slug

jvanderbot 2y ago
You may as well use rifle bullets then.
- red-iron-pine 2y ago
  and the rifled bullets will be more aerodynamic and also have rifling for stability. .50 BMG or an autocannon or something. shotgun slugs aren't usable in any serious, consistent way outside of maybe 20 meters (~60 ft). nasty stuff if you're in range, through.
  - newsclues 2y ago
    Bullets do not have rifling, that is done by the barrel of the rifle. Shotgun slugs can be useful well beyond 20 meters. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shotgun_slug#:~:text=A%20slug%20also%20becomes%20increasingly,(910%20m)%20or%20more https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shotgun_slug#:~:text=A%20slug%.... As a Canadian, I am normally not the one correcting others on the basics of firearms.

jvanderbot 2y ago

I hear you, and a prox shell would be ideal, but I have a hard time seeing the comparisons. The scale of attack drones is so small and fast and close, and the drones are very fragile. Perhaps the hand grenade "bomber" types can be far enough up, but the FPV impactor types are right up in your face and have to fly at you to be effective.

JohnBooty 2y ago
I would be surprised if we didn't eventually see something like you describe. I could see it protecting bases, trenches, encampments, etc. But I think an open question is if it could be made portable enough to tote around on the battlefield.
- okwhateverdude 2y ago
  4-legged robot mule with ordinance. I mean, they are already putting rifles on the robot dogs.