A "shotgun vs. drone" active defense system was demonstrated at Eurosatory 2026.
At the current Eurosatory 2026 arms exhibition, a very interesting active protection system (APS) was presented drones for military vehicles. Unlike existing systems of this class, it is designed in a "cheap and cheerful" format and does not contain any complex components.
It lacks radar systems and expensive electro-optical sensors for detecting dangerous targets. Instead of specialized counter-munitions for destroying drones, it uses 12-gauge shotgun shells, and its lightweight and modular design allows it to be mounted on more than just a single vehicle. танк or an infantry fighting vehicle, but also on some kind of pickup truck or armored car.
We are talking about the SCILT (Close Range Active C-UAV System) complex, developed by the German company Mehler Protection.
appointment
First, it's worth noting one important thing: there's no need to compare SCILT to the active protection systems we're used to. It's simply not suitable for countering anything other than drones. It's not like Arena-M or Trophy—it's designed to hit guided anti-tank missiles. rockets and this German product cannot be used for grenades.
Essentially, this is a completely niche system, adapted exclusively for combating plastic "buzzers" with grenades on board. This is its main drawback, but there are many advantages.
The complete SCILT system weighs no more than 300 kilograms and consumes relatively little power from the vehicle's electrical system. This means it can be installed on vehicles that are not suitable for a full-fledged APS, such as infantry fighting vehicles, armored personnel carriers, armored cars, and civilian vehicles used in combat situations.
SCILT modules are completely autonomous—they have their own optical-electronic threat detection systems, so they don't require any radars. Remarkably, SCILT modules can be connected to existing radars and other sensors on the vehicle. In other words, SCILT can complement a tank's existing active protection system and act as a last line of defense against drone attacks.
In general, this is both an independent and a supplementary protection product.
Устройство
The SCILT architecture is built around a set of modular units, referred to in official documentation as effector modules, which are placed at key points on the vehicle's hull and turret, forming a 360-degree protection system. Each module combines detection systems (or an interface to remote sensors such as a radar) and the ammunition tubes themselves, forming a single reconnaissance and strike element.
The modules are mounted around the vehicle's perimeter with overlapping engagement sectors. This configuration eliminates horizontal blind spots while simultaneously covering a significant portion of the upper hemisphere, particularly at low and medium angles of attack, typical for FPV drones targeting the turret roof or rear.
Each SCILT module is equipped with a small unit containing two cameras positioned side-by-side. These two cameras are used to determine the range to a target by combining images, thereby implementing the stereoscopic distance measurement principle. This approach eliminates the need for a separate laser rangefinder and open radar, reducing the system's cost and visibility, and simplifying its operation.
A fundamentally distinctive feature of SCILT is the choice of means of destruction: instead of specially developed counter-munitions, the system uses standard 12-gauge ammunition, that is, cartridges widely used in civilian and service weapons shotguns.
Each module is equipped with multiple barrels, each loaded with a single 12-gauge round. The land-based version (the SCILT can also be installed on various ships and boats) requires either modular replacement of the barrels after the ammunition has been expended, or manual reloading by the crew outside of direct contact with the enemy.
The effective interception range for SCILT is estimated in publications to be up to 75 meters, which is within the practical capabilities of a shotgun against small targets with precise target acquisition and an electronic guidance system. This is sufficient to destroy a drone before it collides with a vehicle, while maintaining a small firing zone, which is important for the safety of friendly forces.
Operating principle
SCILT's operation can be divided into three sequential steps: an initial signal about the presence of a potential target in a dangerous zone, a signal about the approaching threat, and finally, the so-called "trigger alert," that is, a notification that the drone has entered the guaranteed kill zone and the system is ready for interception.
First, SCILT, using data from its own optical sensors or external detection systems, detects the appearance of a small object in a designated sector. Image processing algorithms and (if available) radar data classify the object as a potential UAV, after which the system initiates tracking. At this stage, the crew receives notification of a threat, but does not fire until the trajectory parameters and the severity of the threat are confirmed.
Second, as the target approaches, SCILT refines the drone's range and speed, refines the attack direction, and calculates a possible interception point. The crew receives an "approach alert," allowing them to prepare for a possible maneuver, cover, or other measures while the system is operating. Meanwhile, SCILT cameras continue to track the target's movement, accounting for its maneuvers and possible evasive attempts.
Third and final: when the drone enters the effective range and engagement arc of the corresponding module, the system issues a "trigger alert" command. If "semi-manual" mode is enabled, SCILT awaits a command from the operator inside the vehicle: either confirmation to open fire or a prohibition if the target is identified as friendly or a decoy.
Upon the operator's "fire" command (or when the system is triggered automatically), one or more of the module's barrels fire at a calculated target, creating a pellet cloud along the drone's trajectory. If necessary, multiple modules can be sequentially aimed at a target to increase the likelihood of interception, especially in swarming attacks.
Conclusions
Of course, this is far from the first system of this type to be offered on the market. However, it is one of the few that has been manufactured in metal and even tested. The manufacturer claims to have completed 48 test cycles, including ballistic tests, reliability checks, operation in extreme temperatures, and an assessment of the lethality density.
It's too early to say whether any countries will purchase it en masse. However, the system's low-cost nature, based on standard 12-gauge ammunition and readily available optical sensors, makes SCILT potentially suitable for equipping a wide range of platforms—from pickup trucks to tanks and ships.
This is especially relevant in conditions where the volume and intensity of the threat posed by small UAVs is so great that single, expensive solutions are unable to meet the needs of the troops.
So, as they say, we will see.
Information