NSU: Cartridge for anti-drone guns

2025: Product Announcement

Russia In developed the world's first cartridge for anti-drone guns with threads for cutting drones. This became known in March 2025. The development was carried out by specialists from the Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization of Novosibirsk State University (CTTK NSU). The innovation is based on a shot cartridge, in which lead pellets are connected by strong threads that can damage the structure drones in flight.

According to the press service of Novosibirsk State University, the development was carried out on an initiative basis, and after receiving the first successful results, it was supported by funding under the Priority-2030 program, which significantly accelerated its completion. Director of TsTTK NSU Alexander Kvashnin noted that cartridges filled with shot can serve as an effective means against small drones, but existing ammunition was developed to defeat completely different goals.

The fundamental difference of the new development lies in the special charge design. It is lead pellets of various sizes, connected in pairs by thin high-strength threads up to several meters long. Special brake aerodynamic inserts have also been added to the cartridge, increasing the spread area and improving other aerodynamic characteristics of the pellets.

The use of shot and buckshot of different weights and diameters serves to increase the striking effect. A pair of pellets of different sizes moves not chaotically, but in the mode of a kind of pendulum. Using computer simulations, the center staff determined the optimal parameter values for each pair. In addition, the difference in size allowed more striking elements to be placed in the charge of the cartridge, which also increases the efficiency of the shot.

Damage to the target is caused not only by the pellets themselves, but also by the threads binding them. They wind up on the body and screws of the drone, knocking it off course or even leading to a fall. This fundamentally distinguishes the new ammunition from existing analogues and makes it more effective against unmanned aerial vehicles.^[1]

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