Condition
Modern Threats, Classic Solutions
In recent years, the proliferation of small, agile drones—particularly First-Person View (FPV) models—has introduced new challenges on the battlefield. These drones, often employed for reconnaissance or direct attacks, necessitate innovative countermeasures. Some we have already covered in the past. However, the Norma AD-LER loading is not the more “improvised” solution that we have seen in the past. Instead, it is a purpose built and engineered loading.
Recognizing this emerging threat, ammunition manufacturer Norma developed the Norma AD-LER (Anti-Drone – Long Effective Range) 12-gauge shotgun shell, engineered specifically to neutralize drones at extended distances. When paired with Benelli’s M4 A.I. Drone Guardian shotgun, this combination is billed as offering a formidable solution to drone threats. Let’s break down what we know about this new 12-gauge shell and its host platform.
Table of Contents
The Genesis of the Norma AD-LER
Norma, established in 1902 by the Enger brothers from Oslo, Norway, has a long-standing reputation for producing high-quality ammunition. With over a century of experience, the company has continually adapted to meet evolving defense needs. The rise of drone technology in modern warfare prompted Norma to innovate once again, leading to the creation of the Norma AD-LER shotgun shell.
Design and Construction of the AD-LER Shotgun Shell
According to Norma, the AD-LER is meticulously crafted to address the unique challenges posed by drones:
Caliber and Dimensions: It is a 12-gauge shell with a case length of 70 mm and a brass height of 16 mm.
Projectile Composition: Unlike traditional lead pellets, the AD-LER utilizes tungsten shot. Tungsten’s higher density provides each pellet with a greater ballistic coefficient, resulting in reduced velocity decay and an extended effective range.
Shot Size and Weight: The shell contains approximately 350 pellets of size No. 6 shot (2.75 mm in diameter), with a total projectile weight of 34 grams.
Performance Metrics: It boasts a muzzle velocity of 405 m/s and is effective at ranges from 0 to 100 meters.
This combination of features ensures a dense shot pattern and sufficient kinetic energy to incapacitate drones constructed from durable materials like carbon fiber. Of note is the pellet material. Tungsten is also used in a variety of amor piercing rounds by NATO, so it’s not an untested material, however this does increase the cost to produce the round over more traditional shot types such as lead or steel. In Europe pricing for these rounds sits at around €4-5 Euros per round, compared to other solutions that cost €20 Euros per round. At the time of writing this would translate to between $4.32 and $5.40 per round in dollars.
While no inexpensive by any means, the purpose built design would likely make it far more effective than the scratch built and improvised 5.45 rounds that we have covered previously in the Archive.
Addressing the Drone Threat
FPV drones used in combat are built for resilience, often featuring robust frames and flexible propellers. Standard sporting ammunition, designed for more fragile targets, proved inadequate against these sturdier drones. Norma’s research indicated that while smaller shot sizes like No. 8 offered higher hit probabilities, they lacked the necessary stopping power. The No. 6 tungsten shot in the Norma AD-LER seeks to strike a balance between pattern density and impact force, making it particularly effective against FPV drones.
Synergy with the Benelli M4 A.I. Drone Guardian Shotgun
The effectiveness of the Norma AD-LER shell is further enhanced when used with the Benelli M4 A.I. Drone Guardian shotgun:
Advanced Impact Technology: This shotgun features Benelli’s patented Advanced Impact system, which includes a barrel with larger and longer connecting cones and a specialized 100 mm choke. This design increases muzzle velocity and pellet penetration, extending the effective range and lethality against drones. While highlighted on the Drone Guardian M4 model, the A.I. chokes are also available on other shotgun models.
Design Features: The M4 A.I. Drone Guardian is a semi-automatic, 12-gauge shotgun with a 3-inch magnum chamber and an 18.5-inch barrel. It comes equipped with a telescopic stock adjustable in five positions, a Picatinny rail for optics attachment, m-lock compatible handguard, and a ghost ring sight with adjustable windage and elevation.
Compatibility: The Norma AD-LER ammunition is optimized for use with shotguns that have a 1,320 Bar proof pressure, with the Benelli M4 being the recommended platform.
Operational Effectiveness
Field tests have demonstrated the combined efficacy of the Norma AD-LER ammunition and the M4 A.I. Drone Guardian shotgun:
Test Results: In controlled environments, operators successfully neutralized nine out of ten FPV drones using the AD-LER shells, with engagement ranges between 30 to 60 meters. Some drones were downed with a single shot, while others required up to three.
Pattern Consistency: At a distance of 75 meters, using a 35-gram No. 6 long-distance cartridge, 20 to 25 pellets out of 230 hit a 37-centimeter diameter target, approximating the size of a mini-UAV. Typically, two to three pellet strikes are sufficient to neutralize such drones.
Granted, these were controlled tests, and actual combat reports on the effectiveness of the Norma AD-LER is non-existent at this point. In the video below you can see James Reeves get to see the M4 A.I. Drone Guardian in person and discuss it with Benelli’s representative. The video mentions police use, and while I could see a use case, I have a hard time imagining U.S. LEO’s running around with these as a matter of course. Flinging around 350 pellets into the air, no matter how small, is probably a civilian injury and lawsuit waiting to happen.
Below you can see James Reeves get to check out the M4 in person.
Conclusion - Policing the Brass
Though untested, the collaboration between Norma and Benelli has resulted in a specialized counter-drone solution that addresses the pressing need for effective short-range defense against FPV drones. The Norma AD-LER 12-gauge shotgun shell, with its tungsten composition and optimized shot size, delivers the necessary impact to neutralize resilient drone targets. When paired with the Benelli M4 A.I. Drone Guardian shotgun, featuring Advanced Impact technology, operators are equipped with a reasonably reliable and potent tool to counter the evolving drone threat on the modern battlefield.
