The French Army unveiled the PROTEUS Standard 1, a 20mm automatic gun mount modernized to counter drones and remotely guided munitions. The system updates the World War 2-era AA53 cannon, which was originally designed for short-range air defense and light vehicle targets. Firing 20×139 caliber rounds at 720 rounds per minute, the PROTEUS combines legacy hardware with modern targeting and tracking to improve responsiveness against fast, small aerial threats. This approach allows the military to utilize existing assets while enhancing counter-UAV capabilities. The system can integrate with contemporary sensors and command systems, supporting both mobile and stationary defense applications. The modernization demonstrates how legacy artillery can be repurposed for emerging aerial threats in modern conflict environments.
