The Shotgun In Modern Combat - Drone Defense

I can remember 1987 the island of Cyprus, 3 Para we beat in the falling plate competition using our service rifles. However. In a shotgun competition. That single clays launcher within its bunker at the UN Protected Area. They totally smoked us Canadians with shotguns on clay birds. Some would decimate the clay bird as soon as it cleared the bunker. It appeared to us, they were almost universally great wing shooters.
 
USA Orders Mossberg 590A1 Shotguns with Custom Barrels for Drone Interception

USA Orders Mossberg 590A1 Shotguns with Custom Barrels for Drone Interception
Vladyslav Khomenko February 3, 2026 21:28

American company Mossberg & Sons has announced that it has received a new contract from the Pentagon worth approximately $11.6 million.
The agreement provides for the supply of an additional batch of Mossberg 590A1 pump-action shotguns for the US Army.
Mossberg 590A1 shotguns usually cost between $800 and $1,000 per unit under large government contracts. This price often includes not only the weapon itself, but also spare parts kits, accessories, and technical support. Thus, we are talking about the purchase of approximately 12,000 to 14,000 weapons.
According to Sandboxx News, this batch is being purchased by the US Army as a means of combating drones. They are planned to be used in conjunction with special tungsten shot ammunition to shoot down small UAVs.
The military has ordered a model with a 17-inch barrel — a specific configuration that was originally designed for convenient placement in submarine racks, but has now proven effective for mobile anti-drone groups.
The standard models for the military are usually shotguns with 14, 18.5, or 20-inch barrels.
To shoot down small drones, they plan to use 2-ounce tungsten No. 9 birdshot. A large number of small tungsten pellets create a dense cloud, ideal for hitting small targets.
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Steiner said:
I am not shotgun savvy......will a 17" barrel be appropriate for this task?
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I'd say it's close enough. There isn't really a great deal of difference between 16" up to maybe 24" barrels when shooting. The shorter barrel is a little handier, but not much. The only thing the shorter barrel will do for sure is reduce mag capacity, which is a significant concern when you are shooting clays with your life on the line.


Mark
 
call2arms said:
I thought a longer barrel is generally preferred for shooting things that fly, I wonder if it will have a red dot
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Longer barrels are considered to swing better/smoother, which is why they are used for trap and sporting clays (skeet, too? I don't remember). I'm not sure that is such an advantage for an erratic target like an FPV drone. The handiness of a shorter barrel may be the better option. Either way, I hope to never have to find out.


Mark
 
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