C-UAS Autocannon / Dedicated AA Gun
Kinetic
Radar-guided automatic cannon systems specifically designed or adapted for counter-UAS. Uses programmable airburst ammunition for high kill probability.
How It Works
A radar-directed rapid-fire cannon engages drones with programmable airburst ammunition. The fire control system tracks the target, calculates lead, and programs rounds to detonate at the optimal proximity.
Technical Specifications
range
1-5 km effective
cost
$1-20 million (system), $50-500 per round
deployment Time
Vehicle-mounted: minutes
crew Required
2-4 crew
weight
5,000-30,000 kg (vehicle system)
power Requirement
Vehicle engine
Advantages
- + High probability of kill with airburst ammo
- + Can engage multiple targets rapidly
- + Effective against all drone types in range
- + All-weather capability
- + Large ammunition capacity
- + Proven in Ukraine (Gepard destroying Shaheds)
Disadvantages
- − Very expensive system and ammunition
- − Heavy — requires vehicle platform
- − Limited mobility in rough terrain
- − Ammunition expenditure is high
- − Crew vulnerable to counter-battery fire
Tactical Deployment Tips
- ▸ Position to protect high-value assets
- ▸ Use radar integration for early target acquisition
- ▸ Save ammunition — short controlled bursts
- ▸ Deploy in pairs for mutual support
Limitations & Vulnerabilities
- ⚠ Cannot operate independently — needs sensor integration
- ⚠ High unit cost limits deployment numbers
- ⚠ Ammunition supply chain critical
Drones It Defeats
Drone types ranked by how well this system defeats them — tap any drone for details
Heavy-Lift FPV BomberHighLarge Loitering MunitionHighTethered Surveillance DroneHighCommercial COTS QuadcopterMediumMilitary Reconnaissance QuadcopterMediumFPV Kamikaze DroneMediumFiber-Optic Guided FPVMediumTactical Fixed-Wing UAVMediumSmall Loitering MunitionMediumAI-Autonomous Strike DroneMediumNaval USV / UUVMediumHeavy-Lift Cargo / Resupply UAVMediumMini ISR Fixed-WingMediumVTOL Fixed-Wing HybridMediumCBRN / Hazmat DroneMediumCoordinated Drone SwarmLowDecoy / Electronic Warfare DroneLowMALE / HALE Strategic UAVNoneJet-Powered UCAVNoneMicro / Nano DroneNoneHigh-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS)None
ⓘ No public sources attached — values are doctrinal generalizations, not intelligence assessments.