00:00Why U.S. Gatling Guns Are Not Stopping Iran's Shahid Drones
00:03Washington slash Middle East
00:06Despite their fearsome reputation,
00:08U.S.-designed rapid-fire defense systems like the Centurion CRAM
00:12are proving far from foolproof against waves of Iranian-made Shahid-136 drones.
00:17Originally adapted from the naval phalanx CIWS,
00:20the CRAM serves as a last line of defense
00:23designed to intercept incoming rockets,
00:26artillery, and mortar fire at close range.
00:28Its six-barrel Gatling Gun can fire up to 4,500 rounds per minute,
00:34creating a dense stream of projectiles that appears highly effective in combat footage.
00:39However, analysts say these systems are not a magic shield against drone threats,
00:45ammunition limits, and cost challenges.
00:47Each CRAM unit carries around 1,500 rounds,
00:51enough for only a handful of engagements.
00:54At typical firing rates, a few bursts can quickly deplete its magazine,
00:59and manual reloads take up to 30 minutes.
01:02The cost is also significant.
01:04Each round costs about $1.168.
01:07A single engagement can cost $25,000 or more.
01:11This creates a near-cost parity with Shahid drones,
01:14which are relatively inexpensive,
01:16raising concerns about sustainability in prolonged attacks.
01:20Drones present a harder target.
01:22While CRAM systems achieved 70% to 80% success rates against rockets in Iraq,
01:28drones pose a more complex challenge.
01:31Low radar visibility due to composite materials' low-altitude flight paths,
01:35sometimes under 100 feet ability to maneuver through urban environments,
01:39complicating tracking.
01:40Unlike predictable ballistic threats,
01:43Shahid drones can approach from varied angles,
01:46making interception more difficult.
01:48Limited coverage and vulnerabilities.
01:51CRAM is a point-defense system, protecting only a small area.
01:56Drones striking even a few miles away remain beyond its reach.
02:00Recent incidents have also highlighted system vulnerabilities.
02:04In one case, a drone strike damaged the Giraffe-1X radar used to guide CRAM fire,
02:09potentially disabling the defense system and exposing surrounding targets.
02:14Reality behind the footage.
02:16Widely circulated videos often show successful interceptions,
02:19but experts caution these clips provide a selective view,
02:23omitting missed engagements and system limitations.
02:26Bottom line,
02:28Gatling-based defenses like CRAM remain a critical protective layer,
02:32but they are not sufficient on their own.
02:34Against large-scale drone attacks,
02:36their limitations in ammunition, cost, and coverage mean that some threats will inevitably get through.
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