USA to Procure 5.56-mm Anti-Drone Ammunition for M4 and M27 Rifles

The U.S. Marine Corps will receive new 5.56-mm Drone Round 5.56 L Variant ammunition, designed to take down small drones when fired from M4 and M27 rifles.

Task & Purpose reported this, citing a representative of the U.S. Marine Corps Procurement Command.

The Marine Corps has already purchased 400,000 of these rounds and plans to procure another million rounds in fiscal year 2027.

The first batch of rounds is already arriving at ammunition depots, and commanders of Marine Corps expeditionary units will decide on initial distribution among units.

The ammunition is designed for use with standard 5.56 mm caliber weapons without the need for modification and is compatible with standard magazines, belt feeders, and silencers.

Upon leaving the barrel, the new round splits into five separate projectiles, significantly increasing the chances of hitting a small aerial target.

In November 2025, the U.S. tested a specialized 5.56×45 mm anti-drone round designed to intercept FPV drones and small quadcopters at close range.