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this post was submitted on 21 Apr 2024
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We've had that technology since the 70's, it's called the Phalanx system and it automatically defends naval vessels against incoming missiles.
To do this the Phalanx fires 4,500 rounds per minute. While it only has to fire for 1-3 seconds per incoming object, that's still an ungodly number of rounds, each one about the length of your hand.
To do the same with a human operated firearm would take such a degree of luck that you may as well pray for the incoming drone to get struck by lightning.
You're approaching the issue incorrectly, because you're omitting cost.
For example: Russia is using suicide drones that cost a few hundred to a few thousand dollars each.
It's not economically(or logistically) viable to fire a few hundred rounds of ammunition at every drone.
Firing a several thousand dollars worth of bullets at a missile works because the missile is at least several hundred thousand.
That's why Raytheon developed a laser based anti-drone system. Electricity is cheaper than bullets.
It's a lot less portable, though.
Fits on a pickup truck.
https://www.rtx.com/raytheon/what-we-do/integrated-air-and-missile-defense/lasers
Huh, only 10 kW? I thought it would be more. If it's got a big bed, you could put the generator right there too. I don't know how much electricity a consumer pickup engine provides, but it's probably not that much. A quick Google suggests consumer bed outlets are about 400 W.
You're on the right track but comparing the wrong things. It's cost of the rounds vs the cost of not stopping the incoming weapon (ie lives and damages), not vs the cost of the incoming weapon.
Eh, the comparison is valid when the opponent can throw ten to upwards of several thousand drones at you for the cost of one countermeasure.
That works out on the water, since the thousands of bullets that missed fall "harmlessly" into the ocean. On land, we have to think about all the bullets that miss too.
Pretty sure they're self-detonating rounds
Raytheon has been making a few improvements since the 70's, like getting rid of the bullets.
https://www.rtx.com/raytheon/what-we-do/integrated-air-and-missile-defense/lasers
I didn't really think human operated, I was imagining something pretty much exactly like phalanx, but with a much smaller caliber and turret size owing to the small size of drones. Like a phalanx type software controller mounted to a small turret with a small caliber machinegun or automatic shotgun type weapon.
There are enormous downsides including mechanical reliability and weight.
Raytheon is already selling a system that assists a human operator in drone targeting, then knocks them out with a laser emitter. The whole thing fits on the back of a Polaris off-road vehicle and runs on electricity. That means the ammo is a gallon or two of fuel.
Don't forget that projectiles have to obey the laws of gravity. Firing a couple hundred rounds over a stadium in a busy city doesn't seem like a great idea