Beretta Defense Technologies has introduced the LIVET Remote Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS)—an AI-driven turret system that can bring eight Benelli M4 Drone Guardian shotguns accurately to bear on incoming unfriendly drones. The platform addresses the growing concern over inexpensive unmanned aircraft systems on the modern battlefield.
The LIVET’s remote engagement capabilities and auto-tracking make it a formidable defense option for critical assets. Its AI system allows it to identify and lock onto targets autonomously. Radio and radar sensors can also be integrated, allowing it to receive coordinates from external devices and scan in the direction they detect potential threats.
“The auto-tracking functionality is what upgrades the LIVET system,” according to Israel Defense. “Automatic tracking enhances situational awareness and precision, allowing operators to focus on the target itself while the system handles the mechanics of weapon alignment and tracking.”
The ammunition is a programmable air-burst load. Their fragmentation maximizes chances that even small drones will be neutralized before reaching a target.
The use of eight Benelli M4 Drone Guardian shotguns increases coverage downrange. Multiple guns also add redundancy to keep the LIVET in the battle, should a stoppage occur in a firearm or one runs out of ammunition.
The system was developed in a partnership with Beretta Defense Technologies and DUALEE, a technology firm based in Italy. At the heart of the system, however, is the Benelli M4 Drone Guardian shotgun, which was introduced by Benelli Defense in 2024.
It is based on the semi-auto shotgun—the M1014—fielded by units of the U.S. military. The Marine Corps first issued the 12-gauge semi-auto in 1999. An M4 version is available to consumers, with the same battlefield-proven reliability and performance.
“For many of the same reasons the autoloader is favored by military worldwide, including its modularity and ability to be quickly reconfigured, the civilian-version M4 (18.5” barrel and reduced magazine capacity) is chosen today by millions as their all-around shotgun for home defense or 3-gun competition,” the staff of American Rifleman noted after extensive testing of the shotgun in 2015.
Read the full article here