Drone Dropped Munitions Identification Guide
OFSP 0.8 Drone Dropped Munition
Counter-UAS Training Resource
Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) are increasingly being used to deliver explosive payloads, improvised munitions, and other hazardous devices. These drone-delivered munitions have been widely observed in overseas conflicts and have also appeared in criminal and terrorist incidents.
Personnel responding to drone incidents may encounter these munitions on rooftops, in parking lots, on roadways, inside facilities, or in wooded areas. Many of these devices are small, difficult to see, and may detonate on impact or if disturbed.
Recognizing these hazards and maintaining safe standoff distance is critical for responder safety.
This guide provides quick-reference information for common UAS dropped munitions to support Counter-UAS training, Drone Incident Response Training, and hazard recognition training.
Why Recognition Matters
Drone dropped munitions are often small and may appear harmless or unfamiliar to personnel who have not received specific training. However, many of these munitions contain high explosives and fragmentation that can cause serious injury or death.
Personnel encountering a suspected drone-dropped munition should:
Maintain safe standoff distance
Do not touch or move the object
Establish a cordon
Notify Bomb Squad / EOD
Report size, shape, markings, and location
Use available cover and concealment if necessary
Watch for additional munitions in the area
Drone payloads are often deployed in multiples, and the presence of one munition may indicate additional hazards nearby.
Where Drone Dropped Munitions Are Commonly Found
During training scenarios and real-world incidents, drone dropped munitions are commonly located:
On rooftops
In parking lots
On roadways
In grassy areas
Partially buried nose-down in soil
Inside warehouses or facilities
On vehicles
In trees
On industrial equipment
Near fences or perimeter areas
On sidewalks or public walkways
Training should include searching for munitions in all of these locations.
Common Drone Dropped Munitions
Below are examples of munitions commonly modified for use as drone-dropped payloads.
VOG-17 drone dropped munition with tail fin assembly used to stabilize the munition during drone deployment.
VOG-17 / VOG-25 Drone Dropped Munition
Munition Type: 30mm / 40mm Fragmentation Grenade
Employment: Drone Dropped
Common Platforms: DJI Mavic Series, DJI Air Series, Autel Platforms
Observed In: Ukraine and other conflicts
Lethal Radius: Approximately 5–10 meters
Description:
VOG-series grenades are among the most commonly used drone-dropped munitions. These grenades are typically modified with a 3D-printed tail fin assembly that stabilizes the grenade in a nose-down orientation during descent. The munition detonates on impact.
Training Considerations:
These grenades are small and may be difficult to see in grass, leaves, or debris. Training scenarios should include partially concealed munitions.
M430 40mm grenade modified for drone deployment with tail stabilization assembly.
M430 Drone Dropped Munition
Munition Type: 40mm High Explosive Dual Purpose Grenade
Employment: Drone Dropped
Common Platforms: Modified commercial drones
Observed In: Overseas conflicts
Lethal Radius: Approximately 10 meters
Description:
The M430 grenade has been modified for drone deployment by manually arming the fuze and attaching tail fins. These grenades may be dropped individually or in multiples and are capable of causing fragmentation injuries and damage to light vehicles and structures.
Training Considerations:
Training scenarios should include munitions on pavement, rooftops, and inside structures.
Improvised drone bomblet designed specifically for deployment from small unmanned aircraft systems.
Improvised Drone Bomblets
Munition Type: Improvised Explosive Bomblet
Employment: Drone Dropped
Construction: Often 3D printed or improvised with explosive filler and tail fins
Observed In: Multiple conflicts and criminal incidents
Description:
Improvised bomblets are purpose-built munitions designed specifically for drone deployment. These devices often include tail fins for stabilization and impact-initiated detonation mechanisms. Shapes and sizes vary widely.
Training Considerations:
Because improvised bomblets do not have standardized shapes, personnel must be trained to recognize suspicious objects rather than relying on recognition of specific military munitions.
OFSP-08 Drone Dropped Munition
OFSP-08 Drone Dropped Munition
Munition Type: Fragmentation Bomblet
Employment: Drone Dropped
Common Platforms: Orlan 10, Modified Commercial UAS
Observed In: Overseas conflicts and drone-delivered munition incidents
Lethal Radius: Approximately 5–15 meters (varies by fragmentation and environment)
Description:
The OFSP-08 is a fragmentation bomblet that has been widely adapted for deployment from small unmanned aircraft systems. The munition is typically fitted with a tail fin assembly that spin stabilizes the device during descent so that it impacts nose-down. The munition is designed to detonate on impact, producing fragmentation capable of injuring personnel and damaging equipment and light vehicles.
The OFSP-08 is commonly used because of its size, weight, and compatibility with small commercial drone payload capacities. Multiple bomblets may be carried and released individually during a single flight.
Training Considerations:
OFSP-08 bomblets are small and may be difficult to locate after deployment. They may be found:
On rooftops
In parking lots
On roadways
In grassy areas
Partially buried nose-down in soil
Inside facilities or warehouses
On vehicles
In trees or elevated locations
Training scenarios should include multiple bomblets placed in various locations to simulate realistic drone dropped munition incidents and to reinforce search procedures and hazard recognition.
Training Implications for Counter-UAS Programs
Agencies developing Counter-UAS programs should ensure personnel are trained not only to detect drones in the air, but also to safely respond to drone-delivered hazards on the ground.
Training programs should include:
Drone dropped munition identification
Ground search procedures
Establishing cordons
Hazard recognition
Safe standoff distances
Reporting procedures
Coordination with Bomb Squad / EOD
Responding to grounded drones
Post-incident scene management
Scenario-based training using inert training aids is one of the most effective ways to prepare personnel for these incidents.
Using Training Aids for Drone Incident Response Training
Inert drone dropped munition training aids allow agencies to conduct realistic training without introducing explosive hazards. These training aids can be placed in training areas to simulate real-world drone incidents.
Training aids can be used for:
Law enforcement training
Military installation training
Critical infrastructure security training
Bomb Squad and EOD training
Facility security exercises
Multi-agency exercises
Drone Incident Response Training (DIRT) courses
Realistic training improves hazard recognition, reporting accuracy, and responder safety.
Conclusion
Drone-delivered munitions are no longer a rare or theoretical threat. Personnel across military, law enforcement, corrections, critical infrastructure, and private security organizations are increasingly likely to encounter drone-delivered hazards during operations.
Training personnel to recognize these hazards and respond safely is a critical component of modern Counter-UAS training and Drone Incident Response Training.
Understanding what these munitions look like, where they are commonly found, and how to respond safely can significantly reduce risk during drone incidents.
To learn more about Drone Incident Response Training (DIRT) and inert UAS training aids, visit 38Sierra.co.