Shotguns in the Sky

by Benjamin Cook

Shotguns in the Sky? Think Again—These Are Small Cannons

In the ongoing innovation battlefields demand, drones equipped with explosive projectiles have captured global attention. But a particular type of weaponry, nicknamed a "shotgun drone," has been dominating recent attention.These drones are used to shoot down enemy recon and attack drones. However, upon closer examination, I don't believe these are shotguns in the traditional sense. Instead, these appear to be small, hand-packed cannons designed for aerial missions. Let me explain.

Telegram link to video: https://t.me/ButusovPlus/16720

If you slow down the video footage of these devices in action, several key details emerge. First, the barrels seem far larger in diameter than even the largest shotgun gauges, such as 8 or 10 gauge. What’s more, the visual evidence of two distinct types of plasma—one bright and almost white, the other orange like burning powder—reveals critical clues about their construction and operation.

The bright plasma likely comes from a material like aluminum foil. Lightweight and flammable, foil would serve as an ideal wadding to keep the projectile (shot) firmly seated in the barrel until fired. When ignited, the foil burns brightly and quickly dissipates in an erratic pattern due to its negligible mass. The orange plasma, by contrast, is consistent with modern firearm powder, which burns rather than explodes, a process known as deflagration.

When viewed in this light, these "shotgun drones" aren't shotguns at all. They're closer to portable black powder cannons. The basic components are strikingly simple: a reinforced chamber, a smooth bore barrel, a measured powder charge, wadding, and a projectile. The firing mechanism could easily involve a 209 shotgun primer, a common item available at sporting goods stores.

None of this technology is new—black powder weaponry dates back centuries. The innovation lies in making it airborne. Mounted on drones, these miniature cannons become a versatile tool for targeting enemy drones. They’re not about rapid fire but rather reusability; each unit seems to be packed and prepared specifically for a single mission. In a combat setting like Ukraine, where resourcefulness is key, these simple yet effective weapons make perfect sense. Further, iteration on a cannon would be faster and less limited than iteration with shotgun shells. With shells you are limited by size/gauge and the space necessary to fit both powder and shot charges into the existing shell. With a cannon your bore size is limitless. You can dial-in your best performing combination of barrel size, shot size/density, and powder charge. Later, all of this could be fit into a shot shell of course, if there was ever military wide adoption and standardization.

This design is also practical in areas with limited industrial capacity. Aluminum foil and powder charges are widely available, and the concept requires no advanced manufacturing. It’s a DIY solution steeped in history but updated for the modern age of drone warfare.

While the term "shotgun drone" might conjure images of airborne clay-shooting rigs, what we’re seeing here is a reimagined black powder cannon—a fascinating blend of old-world technology and cutting-edge applications. This fusion of simplicity and ingenuity shows how war continues to drive innovation in unexpected directions.

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Benjamin Cook, Researching Ukraine

I’ve lived, worked, and traveled in Ukraine since 2010, and researching Ukraine is not just my passion—it’s my profession. This work is only possible with the support of readers like you. If you value my insights and a unique perspective, please consider a paid subscription to my Substack. Thank you!

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