--- title: "Russian Arms Maker Invents Drone With Built-In Rifle" description: "A 2018 patent suggests a Russian arms maker has invented a flying drone that features a rifle that's very reminiscent of Kalashnikov's iconic AK-47." date: "2019-03-18" modified: "2019-03-18" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/russian-military-drone-built-in-rifle" categories: - "Drones" - "Robotics" - "Robots and Machines" tags: - "drone" - "rifles" - "Russia" - "the digest" --- # Russian Arms Maker Invents Drone With Built-In Rifle ![A 2018 patent suggests a Russian arms maker has invented a flying drone that features a rifle that's very reminiscent of Kalashnikov's iconic AK-47.]() *\Image: Almaz-Antey\* ## Is it a Bird? Is it a Drone? A [February 2018 patent]() filed with the Russian Federal Service for Intellectual Property suggest that Russian arms maker Almaz-Antey has invented a flying drone that features a rifle reminiscent of Kalashnikov's iconic AK-47. Details are predictably sparse: a [series of images]() show an extremely rudimentary design, featuring a center fuselage with a built-in rifle section and a plane-like wing design — but it evokes a terrifying vision of the future of warfare in which small, expendable drones can pepper enemy troops with small-arms fire. ![]() ## A Real Headscratcher What's not clear at all is how the drone is powered. The images show no clear method of propulsion, motor or rotors. It's also not entirely clear what firearm the bizarre contraption features. [*C4isrnet* suggests]() it's a Vepr 12 shotgun, a variant of the AK rifle series. [*Business Insider* suggests]() it's a "completely standard Kalashnikov rifle, with a standard banana-shaped magazine that extends conspicuously from the bottom of the airframe." And then there is the question of how long the drone could sustain itself mid-flight or what kind of magazine it could hold. *Business Insider* points out that "each drone gun likely wouldn't hold more than 30 rounds." ## Drone Army In February, Kalashnikov [unveiled]() a small drone that’s meant to destroy remote ground targets from a distance of up to 40 miles (64 km) away — by blowing itself up like a suicide bomber. Belarus military forces also showed off a quadcopter drone that can carry a tank-killing rocket launcher, [*Popular Mechanics* reported]() in June 2018. Perhaps Almaz-Antey's odd patent is simply to get a foot in the door of what might eventually — given enough time — turn into a tactical advantage in the battle field. But it seems unlikely it will look anything like this. **READ MORE:** [Russian patent shows plans for what looks like a ridiculous flying AK-47 assault rifle]() \[*Business Insider*\] **More on Russian drones:** *[The Maker of AK-47 Rifles Just Unveiled a “Suicide Drone”]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()