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C-UAS Autocannon / Dedicated AA Gun

KineticOpen-Source Verified

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 DroneHighConverted Agricultural Heavy-LiftHighCommercial 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 DroneMediumAcoustic-Stealth RotaryMediumAdversary Interceptor DroneMediumKinetic Impact / Ramming DroneMediumOne-Way Attack Cruise DroneMediumCoordinated Drone SwarmLowDecoy / Electronic Warfare DroneLowMothership / Carrier UAVLowSea-Skimming Attack USVLowMALE / HALE Strategic UAVNoneJet-Powered UCAVNoneMicro / Nano DroneNoneHigh-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS)NoneWinged Glide MunitionNone

Sources & Further Reading

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