Counter-drone ammunition: SwissP Defence adds .300 Blackout and .50 BMG to Shatter4K

Shatter4K, the counter-drone ammunition family developed specifically by Swiss manufacturer SwissP Defence, will in future also be available in .300 Blackout (.300 BLK) and 12.7 x 99 millimetre NATO (.50 BMG). The new variants are premiering at Eurosatory 2026 in Paris. They complement the versions already available in the NATO calibres 5.56 x 45 millimetres and 7.62 x 51 millimetres.

Demand for immediately available, scalable means against small and medium-sized drones is growing worldwide – the company is responding with this expansion. Shatter4K was created at the company's headquarters in Thun and draws on more than 160 years of Swiss experience in ammunition development.

Four sub-projectiles for counter-drone defence

At the heart of the ammunition is a multi-projectile concept: once the bullet has left the barrel, it splits in a controlled manner into four sub-projectiles. Against small, fast and hard-to-engage aerial targets, this significantly increases the hit probability, while the risk of collateral damage is to be reduced at the same time.

The new .300 BLK version is aimed above all at special forces and users of compact weapon systems who need an effective solution against drones at short and medium ranges. The .50 BMG variant, in turn, opens up new applications for heavy weapon platforms: in future, they are to be able to engage drones at significantly greater distances as well.

The drone threat is constantly evolving and now encompasses a wide variety of target types and operational scenarios— Hannes Hauri, CEO of SwissP Defence

According to Hauri, the aim is to provide users with an immediately available, practical solution for modern counter-drone defence, regardless of the weapon platform.

Like the existing Shatter4K rounds, the new calibres can be fired from standard weapons without modification. The controlled dispersion of the sub-projectiles is intended to bring advantages especially against fast-moving aerial targets while keeping ballistic behaviour predictable.

SwissP Defence now offers armed forces, security authorities and special forces a broad spectrum of kinetic solutions for countering unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS). Experience from Ukraine and other current conflicts shows that it is becoming increasingly important to engage low-cost drones with equally cost-efficient means.