|
Early generation of NLW consist of various types of
low velocity blunt impact weapons, such as projectiles loaded with
low-velocity / low impact ammunition such as "soft" bean-bag rounds,
rubber balls, rubber or plastic coated pellets, "flash-bang" and
"hybrid" kinetic/chemical munitions. Non lethal munitions for
standard weapons, currently used as part of non-lethal capability
set include the various rubber ball and "soft" impact munitions
fired from the M-16 and M4. Munitions available for the M-203 40mm
grenade launcher and smoke launchers such as
LVOSS, including various area munitions and a new sponge
grenade,
various stun grenades and stingball grenades. Large caliber non
lethal ammunition rely primarily on flash/bang version, such as the
120mm tank
cartridge.
Most blunt impact munitions are designed to be
employed with standard hand-held firearms, including standard
shotguns, M-16/M4 assault rifles, M203 grenade launcher, ARWEN
special munitions launcher etc. Frangible and non-lethal munitions
are designed for submachine guns, (9mm). A different concept is the
airburst non-lethal munitions developed for the
XM-29 Objective
Individual Weapon System. This "hybrid" projectile has an effective
range of 250 meters. A different hybrid concept for NLW munitions is
the ShockRound, which
represent a hybrid between impact and electrical shock stun.
Most types of kinetic non lethal munitions are
prevalently lethal and must be used with special care, within strict
operational limitations. To reduce such risks, Range Variable
Non-Lethal kinetic energy munitions are considered, to offer true
Non-Lethal effect over their entire engagement range, from muzzle to
a maximum range of 100 meters. The munitions could include advanced
fuses and proximity sensors sensing target range and time their
function. Such munitions could function as non-lethal since they
will sense the range to target and decelerate their velocity just
before impact, by increasing their surface area or applying other
braking technology. Another new concept is the Variable Velocity
Rifle System (VVRS) which can fire different types of projectiles at
various velocities, for lethal and non-lethal applications.
Kinetic munitions are also designed to
operate as mines or hand thrown grenades. A typical non lethal mine
is the Modular Crowd Control Munition (MCCM) which can also be used
for force protection and general security applications. Grenade type
weapons are designed to fit into standard smoke launchers. Further
into the future, non lethal systems could use the
Vortex Ring Gun
concept, which could be programmed to create concussions at
stand-off range. Except for being a pure energy weapon, Vortex Ring
systems could also deliver impact munitions, flash/bang or chemical
agents over a range of 50 meters. Vortex ring weapons could be
retrofitted into existing weapons such as the
Mk-19 automatic
grenade launcher. |
