Derya Arms USA has announced that its U.S.-manufactured Derya MAX 12-gauge semi-automatic shotgun has been selected as the primary kinetic effector for Drone Kalkanı (“Drone Shield”). Developed in Türkiye for close-in base defense and vehicle protection, the automated counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) addresses a critical battlefield gap: defeating fiber-optic tethered and non-RF guided FPV kamikaze drones that render conventional electronic warfare (EW) jammers useless. By mounting twin Derya MAX shotguns on an automated, AI-cued pan-tilt mount, the system delivers high-density pattern coverage to neutralize incoming micro-drones at short range.
Hard Data Breakdown
| Technical Parameter | Derya MAX C-UAS System Integration Specs |
| System Configuration | Dual Derya MAX 12-Gauge Guns on Remote Pan-Tilt Turret |
| Detection & Engagement | EO/Acoustic Tracking (660–875 Yds) / Kinetic Engagement (~165 Yds) |
| Action & Chambering | Self-Cleaning Gas Piston / 3-inch Magnum Chambers |
| Feed System | 10- or 15-Round Proprietary Magazines with Metal Feed Lips |
| Target Munitions | Turaç Sterling 12GA Anti-Drone Loads (Tungsten Shot Cloud) |
Mechanical & System Architecture
The selection of the Derya MAX platform for remote weapon station (RWS) duty centers on cycling speed, ammunition versatility, and high-volume feed reliability:
- Dual-Effector Pattern Dense Cloud: The turret aligns two MAX shotguns side-by-side, firing simultaneously to project a dense “metal cloud” (using specialized tungsten anti-drone shot) across the target’s flight vector at ranges up to 165 yards.
- Self-Cleaning Gas Operation: Built around a curved gas piston that sheds carbon during high-volume strings, the MAX reliably cycles everything from lighter tactical loads up to high-pressure 3-inch magnum anti-drone shells without requiring manual regulator tweaks.
- Hardened Feed Geometry: Manufactured in Jacksonville, Florida, the MAX utilizes proprietary magazines engineered with metal feed lips and a wide magwell, resolving the feeding snags historically associated with box-fed 12-gauge platforms under rapid cycling.
Targeted Tactical Applications
The integration of the MAX into automated defense systems serves specific tactical roles:
- Anti-FPV Point Defense: Designed to defeat fast-approaching kamikaze drones closing at speeds over 100 mph, where automated systems have less than six seconds to detect, track, slew, and neutralize the threat.
- Vehicle & Fixed-Site Integration: Built for mounting on 4×4 tactical vehicles, naval craft, or remote security perimeters around critical infrastructure where electronic soft-kill measures fail.
Market & Threat Analysis
- Soft-Kill (EW Jammers) vs. Hard-Kill (Kinetic Shot): Modern FPV drones increasingly employ fiber-optic spools or autonomous visual tracking, bypassing RF jamming entirely. Physical shot patterns remain the most cost-effective solution for last-ditch interception.
- Commercial 12-Gauge Adaptability: While heavy C-UAS mounts rely on expensive 30mm airburst cannons or guided missiles, utilizing standard 12-gauge semi-automatic shotguns provides an economical, easy-to-resupply kinetic layer for short-range protection.
Summary Evaluation
The selection of the Jacksonville-built Derya MAX for the Drone Kalkanı system highlights the growing demand for kinetic, last-layer drone defense. By providing rapid cycling, 15-round magazine capacities, and reliable gas operation under harsh conditions, the MAX proves itself as a capable effector for automated weapon stations. For military and defensive logistics planners, this integration underscores the practical utility of high-capacity 12-gauge platforms in modern air defense networks.