Corps to test nonlethal grenade launcher

[unhappycamper]

Metal Storm's prototype for the Marine Corps' Mission Payload Module - Non-lethal Wapon System, will be heavily based on FireStorm, one of their current multi-barreled grenade laucnhers.


Corps to test nonlethal grenade launcher
By James K. Sanborn - Staff writer
Posted : Monday May 24, 2010 6:01:06 EDT

The Marine Corps recently awarded two competing contracts for the development of a nonlethal weapon system that would allow Marines to fire flash-bang-like grenades from farther away.

The Mission Payload Module – Non-lethal Weapon System could reach an estimated 500 meters, allowing Marines to counter a threat while at a safe distance and in their vehicles, developers say.

The Marine Corps’ wish list asks for the final system to deliver munitions between 10-500 meters and to disable threats for up to five minutes through light and percussion.

Marine Corps Systems Command awarded the contracts in mid-April to Australia-based Metal Storm, for about $1.5 million, and to Falls Church, Va.-based General Dynamics, for about $3 million. Metal Storm is working to produce a multi-barreled 40mm launcher based on its FireStorm grenade launcher. General Dynamics calls its version Medusa. It is also multi-barreled, but will fire 66mm projectiles.

The nonlethal system will attach to the Marine Corps Transparent Armor Gun Shield, commonly seen on top of Humvees and MRAPs, and will move with the .50-caliber machine gun. This allows a machine gunner to quickly transition to a nonlethal option.