Counter-UAS with shotgun ammunition: CSG develops autonomous Swarmshot system with US partners

The Czech industrial group Czechoslovak Group (CSG) is developing a new autonomous counter-UAS system together with the US companies O.F. Mossberg & Sons and Palladyne AI. In the Swarmshot project, the Czech defence group contributes its experience with special ammunition through Federal Ammunition – the company belongs to The Kinetic Group, CSG’s American ammunition division.

The plan is to combine a lightweight weapon module, special ammunition and autonomous technologies. The end result is to be reusable unmanned platforms that independently detect and engage hostile drones. Swarmshot follows a modular concept that is intended to allow integration into various suitable drone platforms.

Gremlin-X as the first platform

The system is initially being developed for Gremlin-X, a quadcopter platform from Palladyne AI. This Group 1 drone is designed for precision missions with a light payload. Thanks to its modular design, the same platform is to be usable both against ground targets and for counter-drone missions. Once qualification is complete, Swarmshot is also to be offered to other manufacturers as an integration package.

At its core, the system combines several components. Federal Ammunition is developing special shotgun ammunition against unmanned aerial targets. Mossberg is supplying a lightweight weapon module designed specifically for use on drones. Palladyne AI, in turn, is responsible for autonomous control, avionics and swarm coordination.

Palladyne AI’s technology enables several unmanned systems to work together. Using the SwarmOS software, drones exchange information, distribute tasks among themselves and respond jointly when the situation changes. However, the decision to use the weapon remains with the operator.

Reusable addition to counter-UAS

Swarmshot is intended as a reusable addition to existing counter-drone systems. The background: small, low-cost drones are becoming an ever greater challenge, and engaging them with conventional guided missile systems can be economically problematic. The system is therefore to actively track down hostile drones and engage them from the air before they reach critical targets.

Possible applications include the protection of military units, airfields, command posts, logistics facilities, ships and other critical infrastructure. The first development phase is to include ammunition tests, integration of the weapon module, studies of recoil loads, and flight and firing trials with live ammunition.

After qualification, Swarmshot is to be available as a complete integration package – with ammunition, weapon module, autonomous software, fire control electronics and the necessary interfaces. No information has yet been published on the project’s timeline, potential customers or financial framework.