Tungsten Alloy Balls in 12-Gauge Shotgun Shells for Anti-Drone Applications

12-gauge shotgun shells loaded with tungsten alloy balls are used for anti-drone defense, particularly by military, law enforcement, and critical infrastructure security teams. These shells provide a dense, high-energy projectile spread, making them highly effective against small UAVs at close to medium ranges.


1. Shell Composition & Shot Size
    •    Tungsten Alloy Ball Size: Typically between 2mm to 5mm in diameter.
    •    Shot Weight:
    •    Smaller shot sizes (e.g., BB or No. 2 shot, ~4.3mm and ~3.8mm) provide higher pellet count for dense patterns.
    •    Larger shot sizes (e.g., T shot, ~5mm) provide higher impact energy per pellet.
    •    Some experimental loads may use custom tungsten slugs or mixed payloads.
    •    Shell Load Weight: 30 to 50 grams of tungsten shot per shell.
    •    Material Composition: Typically 90-97% tungsten, alloyed with nickel and iron/cobalt for strength and durability.


2. Performance Characteristics
    •    High Density (17-19 g/cm³) → Retains velocity better than steel or lead.
    •    Extended Range → Effective range of 50-100 meters (compared to ~40m for steel shot).
    •    Armor & Structural Penetration → Can penetrate plastic, carbon fiber, and light metal drone bodies.
    •    Fragmentation Effect → Multiple tungsten balls increase the chance of damaging rotors, cameras, and flight control systems.


3. Types of Anti-Drone Tungsten Shotgun Shells
    1.    Standard Tungsten Shot Loads
    •    Similar to tungsten hunting loads but optimized for high pattern density and kinetic energy.
    •    Used for quick-reaction point-defense against small drones.
    2.    Tungsten-Based FRAG Rounds
    •    Contain pre-fragmented tungsten alloy pellets, which explode on impact or mid-air to maximize damage.
    3.    Smart Anti-Drone Rounds (Programmable Airburst)
    •    Used in some high-tech defense shotguns with programmable detonation at specific distances.
    •    Releases tungsten balls in a spread pattern, ensuring high hit probability.


4. Effectiveness in Anti-Drone Operations
    •    Close-Range Defense (0-50m) → Best suited for security forces protecting high-value locations.
    •    Countering Swarm Drones → High pellet count allows for multiple drone hits per shot.
    •    Minimal Collateral Damage → Tungsten balls maintain lethality against drones while avoiding over-penetration risks in urban areas.