A quadcopter armed with a Claymore mine shoots down a drone in flight at Fort Rucker: a low-cost tactic and a sign of drone warfare on the horizon.
Drone warfare is no longer theoretical. It is establishing itself as an autonomous front, with its own weapons, tactics, and dedicated units. The test conducted in early August 2025 at Fort Rucker by the US Army is a direct illustration of this: a Claymore drone shot down another drone in mid-flight. Forces that do not accept this turning point are condemning themselves to avoidable losses and overspending to intercept cheap targets.
The Fort Rucker test and its context
The test brought together the 173rd Airborne Brigade, the Pennsylvania National Guard and the DEVCOM Armaments Center (DEVCOM AC). The action is part of Project Shank, an effort to provide small units with simple offensive capabilities against light threats. The official video shows an FPV quadcopter approaching the target and then firing at very close range. The carrier drone briefly loses contact but then returns to control, paving the way for reusable deployment according to the scenario.
The players and the objective
The Sky Soldiers of the 173rd provided the piloting, with support from DEVCOM AC. The objective is clear: to validate a low-cost, reproducible drone interception that can be transferred to the company/section level without relying on heavy systems. This is not a gadget: it is a response to the saturation of commercial drones and small tactical aircraft.
The interception scenario
The carrier quadcopter approaches the target on a favorable axis. The operator stabilizes, fires the payload, then recovers the platform. The result: a confirmed neutralization, a surviving carrier, and a sequence compatible with short FPV pilot training.
The Claymore mine: principles and effects
The Claymore mine is a directional charge developed in the 1950s. It projects approximately 700 steel balls in a cone of about 60°. The effective range is around 100 m, with a maximum effect of up to 250 m depending on the context. On an agile target, this volume of fragments compensates for the uncertainty of the trajectory: one bullet often misses, but a cone of fragments covers the maneuver.
Operational advantages
Controlled costs
Drone interception by Claymore drones is inexpensive, even against swarms. There is no need to use dedicated missiles or more expensive interceptors for low-value targets. It is the rational response to a threat at rock-bottom prices.
Immediate tactical gains
The system is portable, discreet, and deployable by small units. It closes the gap between detection and neutralization, especially in urban or wooded areas. It can also strike ground targets: personnel, unarmored vehicles, entrenched positions, and even attacks from above on trenches and roofs. This versatility increases its appeal for forces under logistical pressure.
Limitations and risks
Engagement distance
The method requires proximity to the target. The closer you get, the greater the risk of the carrier being seen or disrupted. Detonation often results in a very brief loss of connection. This requires a robust cell, a protected antenna, and rigorous recovery procedures.
Incomplete standardization
The sticking points: assembly of the payload, operator safety, detonation, and neutralization of the payload in case of abandonment. Until these elements are standardized in a validated kit, large-scale deployment remains cautious.
Lessons learned from active fronts
The drone-to-drone warfare in Ukraine shows how quickly the belligerents are adapting: rear cameras, evasive trajectories, warning algorithms. In such a context, a fragmentation cone charge increases the probability of hitting despite evasive maneuvers. Not adopting this type of tool is tantamount to leaving the initiative to the enemy.
The place in anti-drone defense
The drone-carried Claymore is not a silver bullet. It complements a multi-layered C-UAS: jamming, dedicated interceptors, acoustic and optical sensors, short-range radars, and drone-launched nets. The challenge is integration: detecting, classifying, prioritizing, and engaging at the right cost. Armies that respond to every alert with a missile are bankrupting themselves and overwhelming their logistics.
Implications for US forces
The US Army has long been cautious about arming micro-drones. The Fort Rucker test supports a move in the opposite direction: giving units immediate offensive capability against low-level threats. Official communications emphasize a tactical milestone. The message is simple: quick, scalable, and inexpensive solutions are needed, otherwise the enemy will dictate the tempo.
Practical recommendations for units
Standardization of the kit
Design a robust mounting kit with passive safety features, dedicated electrical connection, and secure firing mechanism. Test positioning to optimize the blast cone and reduce the blast effect on antennas and ESCs.
Doctrine and training
Train pairs: FPV pilot and payload operator. Define threshold distances: approach, detonation, clearance. Integrate the maneuver into patrol checklists and local rules of engagement.
C-UAS coordination
Connect short-range detection and FPV teams via dedicated radio. Assign sectors to avoid friendly collisions. Have a recovery plan for the carrier and an abandonment protocol if the payload does not launch.
The operational perspective
The Claymore drone is a direct response to the proliferation of light UAS. It transforms an FPV drone into a low-cost interceptor that can be operated by units in contact. It is neither sophisticated nor fragile: it is pragmatic and mission-oriented. Drone warfare is becoming a reality; those who prepare for it will save time, ammunition, and lives. At this stage, ignoring this path is not a neutral position: it means accepting to be left behind.
War Wings Daily is an independant magazine.