The United States has successfully tested a new 5.56×45 mm multi-projectile anti-drone round designed to convert standard infantry rifles into close-range counter-UAS weapons. Known as the “Drone Round,” the ammunition provides a low-cost solution for defeating FPV and quadcopter drones operating inside 15–50 meters—a range where larger counter-UAS systems often struggle.
The round, developed by an industrial team involving Unlimited Ammo, Freedom Munitions, and Ammo Load Worldwide, was evaluated in November 2025 during live-fire tests recorded by the Administrative Results channel.
Projectile That Destabilizes and Breaks Into a Fragment Cloud
Unlike standard NATO ammunition, the Drone Round is engineered to lose stability 10–15 meters after leaving the barrel. A shifted center of mass and modified jacket cause the bullet to tumble and shed fragments, creating a dense shotgun-like cloud. This increases hit probability against the sensitive components of FPV drones—such as rotors, antennas, or cameras—without requiring any modification to the rifle.
Compatible With Rifles and Belt-Fed Weapons
The manufacturer lists the ammunition in multiple calibers, including 5.56×45, 7.62×51, and 6.8×51, allowing its use across M4/M16 rifles, squad automatic weapons, and next-generation NGSW platforms.
The goal is for each U.S. infantry soldier to carry at least one dedicated anti-drone magazine, enabling rapid engagement the moment a drone breaks inside 50 meters.
Influence From Ukrainian Battlefield Experience
Ukraine has already fielded its own NATO-compatible anti-drone rifle ammunition, such as the Horoshok, which releases sub-projectiles at over 800 m/s and is effective out to roughly 50 meters. The success of such ammunition has accelerated Western interest in rifle-based counter-UAS options.
A New Inner Layer in the Counter-Drone Defense Model
The Drone Round complements the U.S. Department of Defense’s layered counter-small UAS strategy, which includes high-power microwave systems, laser weapons, and proximity-fused ammunition for longer ranges. Rifle-deployed anti-drone rounds serve as the final line of defense when an FPV drone is seconds away from striking a vehicle or trench.
Not Yet a Program of Record, but Trend Is Clear
Although the Drone Round has not been formally adopted by the U.S. military, analysts describe it as part of an emerging shift:
In a battlefield dominated by FPV drones, every rifle may soon function as a point air-defense weapon. Whether through the Drone Round, Horoshok, or future designs, multi-projectile 5.56 mm ammunition is rapidly becoming the most affordable way to regain control of the low-altitude battlespace.
