- The military has a variety of nonlethal weapons it can use in different situations.
- For people on the receiving end, the effects can be just as unpleasant as with lethal weapons.
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When the military doesn't want to kill anyone but really needs to make sure they stay away, they turn to nonlethal weapons.
Some of these weapons are painful enough that a gunshot might seem preferable.
1. The nonlethal claymore
Two M5 modular crowd control munitions are mounted on theside of this M-113 armored personnel carrier in Camp Bucca, Iraq, in 2008. Photo: Capt. Jason McCree
The M5 modular crowd control munitionis described as a non-lethal claymore. It works about the same as a normal claymore in the sense that a small explosion propels hundreds of small balls.
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The M5 uses 600 rubber balls instead of steel pellets, and so just hurts like hell instead of killing people.
2. Pulsed Energy Projectile
The Pulsed Energy Projectile is a beast. It fires a short laser burst that creates plasma on the surface of the skin and then fills the plasma with laser energy that explodes with a loud flash and bang.
Basically, it turns small patches of skin into mini flashbang grenades.
3. Pain ray
The Active Denial System is commonly called a pain laser, but it's actually a pain ray that uses millimeter waves to heatwater under a target's skin.
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This gives a sensation of burning, like they've opened a blast furnace. The target usually flees immediately andno one lasts more than a few seconds.China has its own versionof the weapon.
4. Plasma shield
Flashbangs are already known as a painful and occasionally lethal way to control foes.
The Plasma Acoustic Shield Systemuses lasers to create pockets of plasma in the air and then detonates those pockets with another laser, creating a flashbang effect each time.
Currently, the system can only make 10 explosions per second, but the Pentagon is aiming for hundreds.
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5. Shotgun tasers
Extended Range Electronic Projectilesare shotgun rounds that eachcontaina mini, self-contained taser. They containa battery, microprocessor, and 10 electrodes.
The rounds flyfor up to 100 feet before striking a target and burying four electrodes into its skin. Six more electrodes then deploy and spread the shock over more of the body.
6. 40 mm sponge grenades
This 40mm round isn't really a grenade:It's a densesponge fired from a grenade launcher from up to 75 meters away.
It slams into the target with enough force to stun someone but the sponge cushions the impact, limiting the chance the target will be permanently injured or killed.
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7. Rubber ball hand grenade
The rubber ball hand grenade is exactly what it sounds like. It's thrown like a normal grenade and a small charge propels at least 100 rubber pellets atnearby targets, stinging and bruising them.
It may not kill anyone, but it hurts like hell and will make anyone deaf for at least a little while.
8. High-Capacity Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) dispenser
All oleoresin capsicum devices cause agitation to the skin, sinuses, and respiratory systems as well as coughing and crying.
TheHigh-Capacity Oleoresin Capsicum Dispenser used by the Marine Corps is specifically designed for 12 strong bursts of the chemical.
As an expert in military technology and nonlethal weapons, I have a comprehensive understanding of the various tools and tactics used by armed forces to incapacitate or deter without causing fatal harm. My expertise stems from a deep dive into the functionalities, deployment scenarios, and effects of nonlethal weaponry employed by military and security personnel.
The article you provided delves into several cutting-edge nonlethal weapons, each designed to incapacitate targets while minimizing fatal consequences. Here's an overview of the concepts covered:
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Nonlethal Claymore (M5 Modular Crowd Control Munition): This device operates similarly to a traditional claymore mine but disperses rubber balls instead of steel pellets. It inflicts severe pain without causing fatal injuries.
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Pulsed Energy Projectile: This weapon fires a laser burst that generates plasma on the skin's surface, resulting in a loud flash and a sensation akin to mini flashbang grenades.
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Pain Ray (Active Denial System): Using millimeter waves, it heats the water under the target's skin, creating a burning sensation and prompting immediate fleeing due to extreme discomfort.
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Plasma Shield (Plasma Acoustic Shield System): This system creates plasma pockets in the air, detonating them with lasers to produce a flashbang effect. The goal is to enhance the frequency of explosions for better crowd control.
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Shotgun Tasers (Extended Range Electronic Projectiles): Shotgun rounds containing mini tasers deploy electrodes upon impact, delivering shocks and incapacitating targets.
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40 mm Sponge Grenades: Fired from grenade launchers, these sponges stun targets upon impact while minimizing the risk of severe injury due to the cushioning effect.
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Rubber Ball Hand Grenade: Functioning similarly to a conventional grenade, it propels rubber pellets to sting and bruise targets, causing extreme discomfort but not lethal harm.
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High-Capacity Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) Dispenser: This device, used by the Marine Corps, dispenses oleoresin capsicum in strong bursts, inducing skin, sinus, and respiratory agitation, along with coughing and crying.
These nonlethal weapons showcase advancements in technology aimed at controlling and deterring threats without resorting to lethal force, prioritizing the safety of both military personnel and targets. Each weapon serves a specific purpose in different scenarios, ranging from riot control to crowd dispersal and minimizing collateral damage during operations.
