The U.S. Air Force is field testing a special shotgun shell designed to destroy aerial drones by ensnaring them in a metal net.

Being evaluated are 12-gauge SkyNet Mi-5 anti-drone shotgun shells supplied by AMTEC Less Lethal Systems (ALS), a Florida-based firm that develops weapons and products for tactical, operational and training needs. The Air Force has acquired 600 of these anti-drone rounds for testing.

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ALS describes the Mi-5 as a 12 gauge anti-drone round "designed to be rapidly deployed against commercially available drones being utilized for illegal purposes" such as illegal surveillance and contraband delivery.

Upon firing through a 12 gauge rifled choke barrel, centrifugal force separates the five tethered segments separate and creates a five foot-wide capture net that effectively traps the drone's propellers, causing it to fail and fall to the ground.

The shells are quite effective against drones classified as Category 1 and Category 2 by the Pentagon. Category 1 drones have a maximum take-off of up to 20 lbs while Category 2 drones have a maximum take-off ranging from 21 lbs. to 55 lbs.

The Air Force will use these anti-drone rounds with its Remington Model 870 shotguns after modifying them with a choke tube on the muzzle, which will allow the shell to spin and extend the net properly.

If the Air Force's test with these initial 600 shells is successful, the Air Force can buy 6,400 rounds for operational deployment.

Each round costs some $20.

TagsU.S. Air Force, shotgun shell, aerial drones, SkyNet Mi-5 anti-drone shotgun shell, AMTEC Less Lethal Systems, capture net