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I have been reflecting on the new tactics for intercepting drones currently being used, where in present-day conflicts, drones like the Shahed (or even the Harop) are being intercepted by helicopters equipped with simple machine guns mounted on their sides.
Logically, it makes more sense to carry out these interceptions using such means (whenever possible) rather than with expensive anti-aircraft missiles. The thing is, while playing some missions where I had to shoot down this type of drone, I came across cases where the creators added a large number of aircraft armed with anti-aircraft missiles. I decided to try replacing them with helicopters armed with machine guns instead.

In the case of the EC 665 Tigre, for example, it is equipped with:
#508 - 30mm Giat 30/M781 Burst [50 rnds]
VALID TARGETS

Aircraft
Helicopters
Surface Ships
Land Structures (Soft)
Mobile Units (Soft)
Missiles & Guided Bombs
This armament seems well-suited for engaging a variety of targets, including drones, especially when considering the cost-effectiveness of using cannons compared to expensive anti-aircraft missiles. The 30mm cannon could be particularly effective against smaller, slower-moving targets like the Shahed or Harop drones, as long as the helicopter can position itself advantageously and the drone is within range.


But in the case of, for example, the #5711 - UH-1Y Venom [Huey], it is equipped with:
#300 - 12.7mm/72 GAU-19 Minigun Burst (which is mounted on a significant number of helicopters).
VALID TARGETS

Surface Ships
Land Structures (Soft)
Mobile Units (Soft)

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I understand that these machine guns mounted on the sides should be perfectly useful for shooting down this type of drone, especially since it is already being done in current conflicts. In CMO (Command: Modern Operations), we don’t currently have the ability to use this kind of configuration as a defense against these types of threats. Do you think there’s any chance this could be implemented somehow?

I’m leaving a small test scenario where you can see the logical effectiveness of the Tiger’s 30mm cannon on the right, and on the left, some UH-1Y helicopters that can’t do anything against these drones, only fly alongside them.

Database issue. Hopefully will get added.

In the meantime you can search the database for the ammo that will work. When found -Go to the bottom of the weapons form. There should be a list of aircraft that can carry it. Then add or replace the mount on the aircraft you want to be able to door gun drones with the one mount that can.

Mike

COMMAND allows you to modify your helicopter's armament:
In this save file, the gunner can engage the Harop drones with a POH (Probability of Hit) of 50% against aircraft. The Strix sight on the Tiger helicopter allows the 30mm cannon to achieve a 70% hit probability.

And if you decide to take revenge, the armorers have added one B43 strategic bomb (1 megaton nuclear ) and two 1000-liter drop tanks to each aircraft, providing an endurance of 4 hours, which should be enough for a round trip to Morocco.

TyphoonFr wrote: Sun Oct 26, 2025 6:51 am COMMAND allows you to modify your helicopter's armament:
In this save file,
HUEY vs UAV_.zip
the gunner can engage the Harop drones with a POH (Probability of Hit) of 50% against aircraft. The Strix sight on the Tiger helicopter allows the 30mm cannon to achieve a 70% hit probability.

And if you decide to take revenge, the armorers have added one B43 strategic bomb (1 megaton nuclear ) and two 1000-liter drop tanks to each aircraft, providing an endurance of 4 hours, which should be enough for a round trip to Morocco.

It's true . I had modified the sensors and didn’t realize I could do this with the weapons... thanks. On the other hand, I’ve noticed that you can remove any added armament from a mount, but if we add it to the Loadout section where you placed the B43... it can no longer be removed. Strange, isn’t it?





I've also noticed that you can't modify a mount, sensor or armament of embarked or parked aircraft at a base. Is that correct?

Correcaminos wrote: Sun Oct 26, 2025 8:58 am I've also noticed that you can't modify a mount, sensor or armament of embarked or parked aircraft at a base. Is that correct?

In this case, you need to select the units stationed from the Order of Battle, using the "O" key on the keyboard.

Correcaminos wrote: Sun Oct 26, 2025 8:58 am It's true . I had modified the sensors and didn’t realize I could do this with the weapons... thanks. On the other hand, I’ve noticed that you can remove any added armament from a mount, but if we add it to the Loadout section where you placed the B43... it can no longer be removed. Strange, isn’t it?

If you clone the unit with SHIFT+C, the Loadout settings revert to default and only the remaining modifications are preserved.

TyphoonFr wrote: Sun Oct 26, 2025 10:31 am In this case, you need to select the units stationed from the Order of Battle, using the "O" key on the keyboard.

TyphoonFr wrote: Sun Oct 26, 2025 10:40 am If you clone the unit with SHIFT+C, the Loadout settings revert to default and only the remaining modifications are preserved.

Fantastic, now it's really easy to modify any unit. Thanks again.

Slightly off target, but if you want some fun, send a swarm of drones to attack a USN Destroyer armed with lasers. Seeing (and hearing) the laser knocking these things out of the sky is pretty neat. I hope that they really work this well in real life, and that they are added to the fleet on a regular basis real soon.