Low-cost drone threat
Small aerial systems compress the economics of attack and defence.
Indian defence-tech programme
ADGM
Anti-Drone Grenade Munition
Indigenous counter-UAS smart ammunition architecture for modernizing existing 23 mm and future 30 mm / 40 mm gun platforms.
ADGM upgrades the ammunition layer instead of replacing the entire weapon platform. The programme is simulation-led, safety-governed, inert-first, and designed for scalable smart-ammunition development.
- Simulation-led
- Safety-governed
- Inert-first
- India-first modernization
Programme
Counter-UAS modernization through the ammunition layer.
ADGM is an Indian defence-tech programme focused on a simulation-led, safety-governed, inert-first smart ammunition architecture for modernizing existing legacy gun systems.
The programme keeps public disclosure at a system level: why the capability matters, how the development pathway is governed, and where qualified partners can participate without publishing sensitive design, manufacturing, or operational details.
Problem
The New Battlefield: Cheap Drones, Expensive Losses
Low-cost drones and FPV/UAS threats can endanger high-value defence assets such as radars, launchers, sensor masts, ammunition sites and command infrastructure. Existing gun-based point-defence systems remain deployed and logistically familiar, but conventional ammunition is inefficient against small, agile, low-signature aerial threats. Current responses often involve mass firing, expensive missiles, electronic jamming or new counter-drone infrastructure, increasing cost and complexity.
High-value defence assets at risk
Fixed and semi-mobile infrastructure can face persistent exposure.
Ammunition waste from conventional engagement
Direct-hit engagement patterns can drive high expenditure per attempt.
Need for lower-disruption counter-UAS modernization
Installed platforms need practical upgrade pathways.
Solution
Upgrade the Round, Not the Gun
ADGM is designed as a host-compatible smart anti-drone ammunition architecture for legacy 23 mm ZU-23 / Shilka-class systems, with a future pathway toward 30 mm and 40 mm-class smart ammunition applications. It preserves existing platforms, training, logistics and handling practices while adding a smarter ammunition-level counter-UAS capability.
Host-Compatible Round
Structured around legacy platform constraints and familiar ammunition handling boundaries.
Embedded Sensing Layer
Publicly described only as a compact sensing layer for target-relevant inputs.
Onboard Processing Logic
Bounded processing concepts support controlled decision pathways at the architecture level.
Safety-Governed Validation Pathway
Inert-first validation, documentation, and qualification planning guide the programme.
Technology
Simulation-Led, Safety-Governed Smart Ammunition Architecture
Digital Engineering
Simulation and CAD workflows reduce avoidable physical iteration and support traceable design decisions.
Embedded Edge Sensing
A compact sensing layer is evaluated at a non-sensitive architecture level.
Ruggedized Electronics
Electronics planning considers munition-class packaging, survivability, and validation constraints.
Sensor-Agnostic Architecture
The programme is structured to preserve flexibility around future sensing inputs.
Decision and Control Logic
Confidence-gated logic is treated as a safety-governed system architecture concern.
Inert-First Validation
Feasibility, integration, and survivability evidence come before higher-risk integration steps.
Cross-Calibre Smart Core
A reusable smart core supports long-term migration into adjacent calibre families.
Indian Manufacturing Transition
Development is planned around Indian partner qualification, transfer readiness, and scale-up.
Architecture
Reusable Smart Core, Multiple Platform Pathways
The programme is structured around a reusable smart-ammunition core that can be adapted across adjacent calibre families through host-specific integration. This creates long-term product-family potential instead of a single one-off round.
Existing23 mm Baseline
ReusableADGM Smart Core
Future30 mm / 40 mm Pathways
Market
Counter-UAS Modernization with Installed-Base Leverage
ADGM targets Indian defence and government security users operating legacy gun-based air-defence systems. The initial focus is 23 mm ZU-23 / Shilka-class platforms, with expansion potential into 30 mm and 40 mm smart-ammunition families. The commercial model can include prototype grants, B2G procurement, pilot production, licensing, technology transfer and manufacturing partnerships.
Initial baseline
Future pathway
Current maturity
Phased programme
First modernization
Manufacturing model
Roadmap
Phased Development Roadmap
- Phase 0
Programme baseline and architecture freeze
- Phase 1
Simulation and inert feasibility demonstrator
- Phase 2
Integrated inert prototype
- Phase 3
Host compatibility and validation package
- Phase 4
Safety, qualification and industrial transition
- Phase 5
Transition-ready programme package
About
Operators, Engineers and System Builders
ADGM combines defence programme experience, systems architecture, mechanical design, embedded electronics, radar/ML research, QA, safety documentation and industrial-transition planning.
Defence Systems Experience
Systems Architecture
Mechanical and Structural Design
Embedded Electronics
Radar / ML Research
QA and Safety Documentation
Industrial Transition
Achievements
Validation and Ecosystem Support
Contact
Start a Qualified Conversation
ADGM welcomes enquiries from defence-industry partners, investors, incubators, research institutions, manufacturing partners and programme stakeholders.
contact@selfpropelledgrenademunition.devDo not send classified, export-controlled, proprietary third-party, or operationally sensitive information by ordinary email.