Interpolitex 2024 – Research Institute of Applied Chemistry presents specialized rifle cartridges for shooting at UAVs
The Research Institute of Applied Chemistry (RIAC) presented specialized anti-drone cartridges for rifles and shotguns at the Interpolitex 2024 national security exhibition in Moscow, these products having been unveiled at Army 2024 last August
The RIAC showcased two cartridges for destroying small drones, the IGLA AnDr and IGLA Vector AnDr. Both ammunition have a caliber of 12/76 and are designed to destroy low-flying unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) of various types due to the kinetic energy of the projectile. The IGLA AnDr cartridge is loaded with N0000-5 shot or 6.2-8.5 mm buckshot. The IGLA Vector AnDr cartridge is fitted with a red-light tracer element to visualize the shot flight in order to adjust aiming.
The cartridges differ from conventional hunting and sport cartridges by using a specific powder with enhanced characteristics and a larger mass of shot with increased hardness. This allows for increased effectiveness in defeating drones that include durable plastic and metal elements in their design.
“Mini-drones pose a great threat, but fighting them with standard means, such as conventional anti-aircraft missiles, is not always effective. Therefore, alternative means are being created – mini-missiles, electronic warfare (EW) systems, as well as specialized ammunition, including for small arms. Enhanced cartridges with improved efficiency have complemented this line,” EDR online reported at the company’s stand. The pellet speed in special cartridges is at least 435 m/s, the shot accuracy is at least 60%, the maximum target engagement range is at least 100 metres. The hardness of the projectile is at least 16 HV. The visualization distance of the tracer element of the IGLA Vector AnDr cartridge is from 20 to 100 metres.
The operator can easily distinguish between them as the IGLA AnDr has a black casing while the IGLA Vector AnDr has a blue casing.
For use at close range, the IGLA AnDr cartridge design provides a containerless version, which generates an optimal pellet pattern at a distance of up to 35 metres. For targets at long distances, a specific version of the round is available, capable to hit a target at a distance of over 100 metres.
The cartridges are intended for special forces, security services and protection of paramilitary facilities and critical infrastructure facilities. Currently, to combat small-sized drones in the Ukrainian theater of military operations, Russian troops use hunting rifles and specialized cartridges, which have demonstrated high accuracy in hitting low-flying mini-UAVs and FPV-drones.
Photo courtesy RIAC
