Fabarm Developed Shotgun Against Drones in Italy

Italy has presented a long-barreled pump-action shotgun STF/12 Composite XL Range 22″ QTA for countering drones.

The model is presented by Fabarm as a specialized solution for defeating small and fast aerial targets at longer distances.

The presented modification is the longest in the STF/12 line and has the largest magazine capacity among the series. The extended magazine is designed to hold an increased number of rounds without sacrificing the reliability of the feeding system.

While previous versions of the STF/12 focused on maneuverability and control in close and medium combat – optimal for indoor operations – the Composite XL Range 22″ QTA is designed to meet the needs of fighting unmanned aerial vehicles with high speed and unpredictable trajectory.

The model retains the basic architecture of the STF/12 system: a receiver made of 7075-T6 aluminum alloy, a Racing trigger, a non-slip 3D-textured forend and a pistol grip. The Soft Touch buttstock has a side-folding design for easy transportation.

The shotgun is equipped with a 22-inch barrel and an extended magazine for 8 rounds of 12-gauge ammunition (76 mm shell length) plus one round in the chamber, which provides the overall combat capability necessary to hit multiple targets in a row.

The barrel uses Tribore HP technology and is equipped with an Extended XL Range variable muzzle constrictor that produces a denser and more stable muzzle jet at long ranges, increasing the efficiency of targeting small moving objects.

Features

As with other FABARM barrels, this barrel is certified for operating pressures up to 1630 bar, which allows for the safe use of steel shot and other heavy specialized ammunition designed to combat drones.

One of the key innovations is the FABARM QTA (Quick Target Acquisition) sighting devices. They are designed for rapid target acquisition, preemptive targeting and accurate engagement of small and fast-moving objects, including FPV drones.

The 124 mm long rear sight intuitively directs the shooter’s gaze to the target, allowing for a higher head position and simplifying advance aiming. The front sight is adjustable and available in several versions with fiber-optic inserts in different colors.

The rear sight can be replaced with a MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny rail for mounting optics or a Ghost Ring sight, which is also available for the STF/12 series. The QTA has the same height as the Ghost Ring sights, so no additional fitting is required. The FABARM STF/12 Composite XL Range 22″ QTA has a length of 102.95 cm when unfolded and 80.95 cm when folded; the weight without ammunition is 3.86 kg, which maintains an acceptable balance between length and handling.

In Ukraine, soldiers are also trained to shoot down FPV drones with rifles. For this purpose, a VR rifle simulator has already been developed to train soldiers to counter FPV drones.