US Marines Field New 5.56mm Anti-Drone Round for M4 and M27 Rifles
The U.S. Marine Corps is fielding the Drone Round 5.56 L Variant, a new anti-drone ammunition for M4 carbines and M27 rifles. The round splits into five projectiles after firing to increase hit probability against small drones up to 100 meters. The Corps has purchased 400,000 rounds, with plans for 1 million more in FY2027. Deliveries to supply points are underway, with completion expected by September. The round provides a last-line defense against drones, including fiber-optic-controlled ones immune to jamming, and is part of broader Marine Corps counter-drone efforts.
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Drone Round supplies Marines with 5.56mm anti-drone ammunition
The U.S. Marine Corps has purchased 400,000 rounds of a new 5.56mm anti-drone ammunition from Arizona-based company Drone Round, with plans to buy another 1 million rounds next fiscal year. The ammunition, called the 5.56 L Variant, fires five projectiles per trigger pull from standard-issue M27 and M4A1 rifles, requiring no weapon modifications. This replaces the need for shotguns, which have shorter range, less ammunition capacity, and logistical drawbacks. The Marine Corps stated this is the only commercially available kinetic munition meeting its minimum standards for immediate counter-drone defense. Drone Round partnered with Freedom Munitions to scale production to millions of rounds per month. The development addresses the military's need for inexpensive, practical solutions against small unmanned aerial systems (UAS) that can destroy expensive equipment and infrastructure.
Drone Round supplies Marines with anti-drone 5.56mm ammunition
Drone Round, an Arizona-based defense company, has developed a 5.56mm anti-drone round that allows Marines to counter small unmanned aerial systems using standard-issue rifles like the M27 and M4A1, eliminating the need for shotguns. The round fires five projectiles per trigger pull, simulating a shotgun effect. The Marine Corps has purchased 400,000 rounds and plans to buy another 1 million in the next fiscal year. The company partnered with Freedom Munitions to scale production to millions of rounds per month. The round is the only kinetic munition meeting Marine Corps minimum standards for immediate counter-drone defense without requiring weapon modifications.
Drone Round supplies Marines with anti-drone 5.56mm ammunition
Drone Round, an Arizona-based company, has developed a 5.56mm anti-drone cartridge that allows Marines to shoot down small unmanned aerial systems using standard-issue rifles like the M27 and M4A1, eliminating the need for shotguns. The round fires five projectiles per trigger pull, simulating a shotgun effect. The Marine Corps has purchased 400,000 rounds and plans to buy another 1 million in the next fiscal year. The company partnered with Freedom Munitions to scale production to millions of rounds per month. The round is the only kinetic munition meeting Marine Corps minimum standards for immediate counter-drone defense without requiring weapon modifications.
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Drone Round supplies Marines with anti-drone 5.56mm ammunition
Drone Round, an Arizona-based company, has developed a 5.56mm anti-drone round that allows Marines to shoot down small drones using standard-issue rifles like the M27 and M4A1, without requiring a shotgun or weapon modifications. The round fires five projectiles per trigger pull, simulating a shotgun effect. The Marine Corps has purchased 400,000 rounds and plans to buy another 1 million in the next fiscal year. The company partnered with Freedom Munitions to scale production to millions of rounds per month. The round is described as the only kinetic munition meeting Marine Corps minimum standards for immediate counter-drone defense, filling a critical gap in counter-UAS capabilities.
Marine Corps adopts Drone Round's 5.56mm anti-drone ammunition
The Marine Corps has selected Drone Round's 5.56 L Variant ammunition as the only kinetic munition meeting its minimum standards for immediate counter-drone defense. Unlike shotguns traditionally used for aerial targets, this round fires five projectiles from a single trigger pull while remaining compatible with standard-issue M27 and M4A1 rifles. The company, founded by Connor Schnepf and Justin Lawrence, partnered with Freedom Munitions to scale production to millions of rounds per month. The Marine Corps has already purchased 400,000 rounds and plans to buy another 1 million in the next fiscal year. The round addresses the military's need for an inexpensive, practical solution against small unmanned aerial systems (UAS) that can destroy infrastructure and expensive equipment.
Marines to get new anti-drone round for M4 and M27 rifles
The U.S. Marine Corps is fielding a new anti-drone ammunition, the Drone Round 5.56 L Variant, designed for M4 carbines and M27 Infantry Automatic Rifles. The round separates into five projectiles after firing to increase the probability of hitting small drones. The Marine Corps has purchased 400,000 rounds and plans to buy another 1 million in fiscal year 2027. The ammunition is effective up to 100 meters, requires no weapon modifications, and is suppressor-compatible. It provides a last line of defense against drones, including those controlled by fiber optic cables that cannot be jammed. Deliveries to ammunition supply points are underway and expected to be completed by September. Marine Expeditionary Force commanders will prioritize which units receive the rounds first. The effort is part of a broader Marine Corps initiative to counter drone threats, including new fire control systems and training.
Marines to field new anti-drone round for M4 and M27 rifles
The U.S. Marine Corps is acquiring a new 5.56mm anti-drone cartridge called the Drone Round 5.56 L Variant, designed to be fired from standard M4 carbines and M27 Infantry Automatic Rifles. The round separates into five projectiles after firing to increase the probability of hitting small drones. The Marine Corps has purchased 400,000 rounds and plans to buy another 1 million in fiscal year 2027. Deliveries to ammunition supply points are underway and expected to be completed by September. The round is effective up to 100 meters, requires no weapon modifications, and is suppressor-compatible. It provides a last-line defense against drones, including those controlled by fiber optic cables that cannot be jammed. The acquisition is part of a broader Marine Corps effort to counter drone threats, which includes establishing attack drone teams and fielding advanced fire control systems like the SMASH 2000L.
US Marines to Field New Anti-Drone Round for M4 and M27 Rifles
The US Marine Corps is acquiring a new type of 5.56mm ammunition, the Drone Round 5.56 L Variant, designed to shoot down small drones. The round separates into five projectiles after firing to increase hit probability. The Marine Corps has purchased 400,000 rounds and plans to buy another 1 million in fiscal year 2027. Deliveries to ammunition supply points are underway and expected to be completed by September. The round is effective up to 100 meters, requires no weapon modifications, and is suppressor-compatible. It provides a last line of defense against drones, including those controlled by fiber optic cables that cannot be jammed. Marine Expeditionary Force commanders will decide which units receive the ammunition first. The effort is part of a broader Marine Corps initiative to counter drone threats, including new fire control systems and training.