Gear And Accessories
Italy’s Fabarm launches extended-range shotgun for drone defense
Italy’s Fabarm launches extended-range shotgun for drone defense
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✍️By ZRIntel Editorial Team📍Italy
Italian firearms manufacturer Fabarm S.p.A. has recently introduced a new variant of its widely utilized STF/12 shotgun, specifically engineered for counter-drone operations. This innovative design, known as the STF/12 Compact XL Range 22", enhances previous models already in use, such as the Mehrzweckflinte 5 (MZF 5) utilized by the German Bundeswehr. With increasing threats from drones in urban environments, this shotgun is engineered to engage fast, low-flying targets effectively at extended ranges, a critical capability for modern defense and security operations. The STF/12 Compact XL is tailored for precision engagement, featuring a redesigned 22-inch Tribore HP barrel optimized for range. Its three-stage internal profile utilizes a Venturi-effect taper that narrows the bore near the muzzle, resulting in increased shot charge speed, thereby enhancing effective range and terminal performance while minimizing recoil and improving accuracy. An extended 108 mm XL Range choke refines the shot pattern further, allowing the weapon to maintain consistent impact energy over greater distances. This capability is essential for successfully targeting small aerial threats like drones. The shotgun chambered for 12/76 ammunition offers an impressive magazine capacity of seven plus one rounds with 3-inch shells or eight plus one with 2-inch cartridges. The construction features a lightweight Ergal 55 aluminum alloy receiver, a Mil-Spec Cerakote finish for increased durability, and a heat shield for sustained firing. For added portability, the shotgun incorporates a folding stock with a pistol grip, reducing its overall length, while the unloaded weight is a manageable 3,760 grams. Fabarm has equipped the shotgun with its proprietary Quick Target Acquisition (QTA) sightan important tool that helps shooters quickly align their eye with the target, crucial for understanding trajectory and speed during engagements. Additionally, multiple front sight options are available, including those with fiber-optic inserts, which promote rapid engagement of moving targets. Field demonstrations conducted by Waimex and Fabarm with law enforcement and defense agencies revealed that the new model achieved an effective range of up to 100 metersan impressive achievement for a 12-gauge shotgun platform. Testers utilizing 2.4 mm trap ammunition consistently hit clay targets at distances between 80 and 100 meters. Furthermore, when aimed at plastic targets simulating drone fuselages, the weapon effectively penetrated 40 x 60 cm structures at similar distances. This indicates that even lightweight shotgun pellets can deliver substantial destructive force to drone structures when fired at high velocities, positioning the STF/12 Compact XL Range as a pragmatic solution for short- to medium-range anti-UAV operations. Historically, shotguns were among the first firearms adapted for counter-drone use by individual operators, and their utility continues to expand as the prominence of unmanned aerial threats rises. Compared to traditional electronic warfare or missile-based systems, shotguns present a cost-effective alternative with minimal risk of collateral damage. Due to their relatively low kinetic energy after firing, shot pellets pose a reduced risk to surrounding bystanders or infrastructure. This characteristic is particularly advantageous in urban environments where such operational considerations are paramount. As drone technology evolves, the demand for effective countermeasures will likely lead to the proliferation of specialized firearms like the STF/12 Compact XL. The development indicates a significant shift in firearms technology, with manufacturers like Fabarm responding to emerging threats in innovative ways. The integration of counter-drone capabilities in shotguns not only enhances personal and public safety but also reshapes the landscape of defense technology.