Benelli Unveil M4 AI Drone Guardian at IDEX 2025 : The Infantry's Last Line of Defense Against Drones

In the evolving landscape of modern warfare, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), commonly known as drones, have emerged as significant threats on the battlefield. To address this challenge, Benelli, renowned for its expertise in shotgun manufacturing and a member of the Beretta Defence Technologies group, introduced the M4 AI Drone Guardian at IDEX 2025. This innovative shotgun equips dismounted infantry with a crucial last-resort countermeasure against hostile drones.

Advanced Impact Technology: Enhancing Shotgun Performance

Central to the M4 AI Drone Guardian's effectiveness is Benelli's patented Advanced Impact (AI) technology. Initially developed for the civilian market, this system comprises a specially designed barrel and choke combination that significantly boosts muzzle velocity and pellet penetration. The barrel features wider and longer connecting cones, complemented by a proprietary 100 mm Advanced Impact choke. This design enables pellets to achieve higher speeds and deeper penetration, enhancing the shotgun's range and lethality. Tests have demonstrated up to a 50% increase in penetration compared to standard barrels.

Performance Against Drone Threats

The M4 AI Drone Guardian is engineered to counter small quadcopter First-Person-View (FPV) drones, which are increasingly used in modern combat scenarios. Equipped with a 12-gauge shotgun using a 3-star modified choke, it offers flexibility in ammunition usage, including slugs and double zero buckshot, effective within a range of 0 to 75 meters. Field tests have shown that at a distance of 75 meters, using a 35-gram Shot 6 long-distance cartridge, approximately 20 to 25 pellets out of 230 (each 2.7 mm in diameter) can strike a 37-centimeter target, roughly the size of a mini-UAV. Given that neutralizing a mini-UAV typically requires only two to three pellets, this level of accuracy is noteworthy.

Design Features Tailored for Combat

Beyond the advanced barrel, the M4 AI Drone Guardian incorporates several design enhancements to optimize its combat effectiveness:

• Forend with M-Lok System: Provides mounting options at the 3, 6, 9, and 12 o'clock positions, allowing for the attachment of accessories to suit mission requirements.

• ACRO Red Dot Sight: Aligns perfectly with the ghost ring sight, enabling shooters to maintain both eyes open and achieve a 220° field of view—crucial when tracking fast-moving aerial targets.

Specialized Ammunition: Norma AD-LER

To complement the shotgun's capabilities, Benelli collaborated with Norma, a member of the Beretta Defence Technologies group, to develop the Norma AD-LER (Anti-Drone Long Effective Range) ammunition. This cartridge contains 2.7 mm diameter tungsten pellets (No. 6 shot) that exit the barrel at 405 m/s, leveraging the shotgun's chamber capacity to withstand pressures up to 1,320 bar.

Versatility and Interest Across Sectors

The M4 AI Drone Guardian's applications extend beyond military use. Its potential for protecting high-value assets, securing prisons, and enhancing law enforcement capabilities has garnered attention from various sectors. Notably, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has requested sample units, and major entities such as the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM), Army, and Marines have also expressed interest. Benelli has been invited to present the system at the International Special Operations Forces (ISOF) Range 2025, indicating its growing recognition and potential adoption.

In summary, the Benelli M4 AI Drone Guardian represents a significant advancement in counter-UAS measures for dismounted infantry. By integrating innovative barrel technology, specialized ammunition, and user-centric design features, it offers a practical and effective solution to emerging drone threats on the modern battlefield.