XM-5866 Stingball flashbang grenade

Abstract

The grenade is a multi-purpose munition which can be used as a distraction device, like a flash bang grenade, and can be equipped with chemical agent powder for added capabilities. The grenade is also a sting ball grenade and is a less-lethal form of weapon, designed to reduce fatalities in civilians located in conflict areas. The munition is constructed to be low lethality, and capable of being launched from military and law enforcement 37 mm and 40 mm grenade launchers presently in use today. It is designed to be used in multiple roles when lethal projectiles are not a viable or preferred option, such as hostage situations, riots, room and building clearing operations, narcotics interdictions, distraction and diversionary purposes, and as a method of introducing a chemical agent into a small area from a distance. The grenade can be employed from distances over 400 yards, extending the range of the present art, which is 30 yards.

Description

CROSS-REFERANCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001]N / ASTATEMENT REGUARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]N / ABACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003]The need for low lethality projectiles is well known in the art, and additionally can be inferred from the promulgation by the National Institute of Justice of low lethality qualifying standards found in standard 0101.03 tests. Ammunition such as rubber buckshot, bean bag, muzzle blast chemical agents and such are presently widely used by both military forces and law enforcement. These devices are designed to provide a less lethal option in individual or group incapacitation, or behavior modification. These devices are severely limited however, in their final use, due to short ranges of deploy ability, and by environmental factors such as wind, snow, or rain. Also, these devices cannot affect individuals inside vehicles or in thick cover conditions. These devices also require the personnel deploying them to be within 30 meters of ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]The grenade is designed to be a multi-purpose, multi-role 40 mm less lethal type munition. The round is a fixed 40 mm munition capable of being fired from any 40 mm launcher in service today. It can also be manufactured for use in 37 mm LE launchers. The round is made of a poured resin plastic material containing .32 or .45 or .60 caliber rubber stingballs, in a ball matrix pattern surrounding an explosive core. The ogive portion of the round may contain aluminum powder and is solid to aid in barricade penetration. The round uses a safety time delay fuse, which is ignited by the cartridge lift charge, therefore it will not explode on impact as most 40 mm munitions are presently designed. The round is designed to be safe for the user, and provide an effective use of force option out to ranges of 400+ meters when deadly force options are limited. The round can be used by military, law enforcement, and corrections personnel when lethal 40 mm rounds are not desired, such as when noncombatants are in the area. It is designed to be used in multiple roles when lethal projectiles are not a viable or preferred option, such as hostage situations, room and building clearing operations, narcotics interdictions, distraction and diversionary purposes, and as a method of introducing a chemical agent into a small area from a greater distance than present munitions allow.

Problems solved by technology

These devices are severely limited however, in their final use, due to short ranges of deploy ability, and by environmental factors such as wind, snow, or rain.

Also, these devices cannot affect individuals inside vehicles or in thick cover conditions.

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