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Here’s How Ukrainian Forces Use Machine Guns to Take Down Russian Drones With US-Made AN/TWQ-1 Avengers
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Ukrainian forces operating the AN/TWQ-1 Avenger air defense system are selectively using its machine gun rather than costly missiles when targeting Iranian-made Shahed drones, according to Defense Express on September 7.
The Avenger, first fielded in the 1980s, combines eight FIM-92 Stinger missiles with a Browning M2 .50 caliber machine gun.
Ukrainian soldiers from the 39th Air Defense Regiment explained that the system remains effective against unmanned aerial threats, including the Shahed loitering munition.
One of the operators, identified as Yurii, described a combat engagement captured on ArmyTV footage. “I see that it is low, close, and flying straight at me. This is the easiest target for the machine gun. At that moment, using a missile would have been impractical,” he said.
According to Defense Express, Ukrainian crews note that the Avenger is most efficient against drones and cruise missiles but less suitable against fast-moving aircraft or helicopters.
Another soldier, Mykola, emphasized the vehicle’s mobility: “We drove in different conditions—snow, fields, muddy ground—and it performed very well.” He also highlighted the system’s remote-control option, which allows operation from cover when needed.
The United States first supplied Avenger systems to Ukraine in March 2023 as part of its security assistance package. The adaptation of these decades-old platforms underscores Ukraine’s strategy of integrating diverse layers of air defense, combining high-cost missile interceptors with more economical options such as heavy machine guns when the tactical situation allows.
Earlier in September, Ukrainian company Piranha Tech unveiled the DF-M electronic warfare system in Lviv, described by Oboronka as a modular “plug-and-play” solution for countering drones such as Mavic and FPV models.
The system can be mounted on vehicles or stationary platforms, uses interchangeable jamming blocks for different frequencies, and costs about $24,000 per unit.
