Sig Sauer: Drones with pistols

2023: Product Announcement

In mid-October 2023, Sig Sauer, a small arms manufacturer, unveiled two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) armed with a pistol. Such drones can theoretically be used to neutralize criminals in emergency situations - when there is a high probability of harm to the health of law enforcement officers.

Both drones have a quadcopter design. The larger model has a Sig Sauer P365 XL pistol mount at the top with an elongated barrel and a 12-round magazine. Which UAV is the basis of this combat drone is not specified. The second model has a more compact version: it is based on the Lumenier quadcopter. At the bottom there is a holder for a lightweight P365 pistol.

Sig Sauer pistol drone

In both cases, a special mechanism for pressing the trigger of the pistol using a servo drive is used: the corresponding command is given remotely by the drone operator. The weapon is pointed at the object through the built-in camera of the quadcopter using a laser target designator. Sig Sauer says recoil when fired has little impact on the drone's stability in flight.

It is noted that UAVs armed with a pistol were created at the request of an unnamed customer. Several possible scenarios for using such drones stand out. They, in particular, can be used to defeat criminals or terrorists who are in hiding and inaccessible to snipers. A small armed drone can also penetrate objects where it is too risky for ordinary people to be. Drones can be deployed in confined spaces and other non-standard situations.^[1]

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