This week, in our Boot Camp series, we will give you guidance on how to counter aerial drones. This will cover all types of drones, from combat-focused helicopter drones to jammers and UAVs.
To combat aerial drones, you are given a few tools. The most reliable and universal one, the PPZR Piorun anti-air launcher, the Warmate drone, UCAS-D global jammer, and vehicles both dedicated to anti-air, and those that are not quite. And let’s not forget, your weapons can do damage too. Let’s take a look at all of these in closer detail.
The Piorun AA launcher can lock onto enemy drones from a distance. It can destroy UAVs, jammers, and offensive drones in one hit. The Piorun is an essential weapon against the Imugi and Gargoyle helicopter drones, both of which require 2 hits to destroy. The usage is simple; track the target for under 2 seconds, and use LMB to launch when you hear constant beeping and the light has turned green. An extra advantage of the Piorun is that it highlights objects it can lock onto when aiming.
The Warmate lives up to its name by being one of our best friends for fighting helicopter drones, as well as ground vehicles. This should be used together with the Piorun, as one Warmate is not enough to destroy a helicopter drone. If, after using the Piorun, the helicopter drone escapes your vision, you can call the Warmate to track it down and finish it, or the other way around. Be careful, however, as Imugi pilots can outrun the Warmate. You can use SHIFT for a speed boost, and make sure to intercept it, not follow it.
This jammer scrambles the controls of the helicopter drone and disconnects the pilot. It also hides your team from enemy UAVs. Combining a Piorun or Warmate with this can result in the helicopter drone crashing until it is destroyed, or becoming easier to hit, but it is possible for pilots close to base and clear of obstacles to inch their helicopter drone to safety, so the use of this should be considered carefully.
Ground vehicles are fantastic at taking out enemy helicopter drones. The Type X and Leopard MBTs have SPAAG turrets available, which have a high damage output against all aerial drones. These have plenty of ammunition and a fast rate of fire, allowing for a very forgiving tracking of enemy drones. But they are very vulnerable to other ground vehicles, and can be blinded by an Imugi. Using an MBT with a 120mm cannon and firing a well-aimed shot against a helicopter drone can sometimes be less risky, unless the target is missed. Equipping a hardkill APS will protect you from the Gargoyle’s AT rockets.
Launchers such as RPG or PF3 can deal heavy damage to the Imugi and Gargoyle, but will require a very well-aimed shot. PF3 can one-shot an Imugi, and be near-fatal for the Gargoyle.
Firearms, typically caliber 5.56 or above, can inflict damage to enemy drones. Larger calibers will deal more damage, but 5.56 is enough to deal with Reaper jammers, Flying Eye UAVs, and even offensive drones. While it is possible to destroy the Barracuda with firearms, it’s difficult to do, so the Piorun is most recommended here.
Killing the enemy drone operator will also destroy the drone, but in most cases, they will hide themselves at base to make this impossible. The most important aspect for taking down the enemy drones is teamwork. Two people focusing on it with a Piorun or Warmate are your best chances at taking it down. Thank you for reading! We hope you learned something, and we’d love to see your best drone kills in the Discord! And if you wish for us to go into extra detail on any one topic, make sure to tell us, and we’ll be happy to explain. See you next time!