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 ShockRounds will pack a miniature electric shock
mechanism into standard 37mm, 9mm and 12 gauge ammunition, including
rubber or frangible bullet, offering non lethal capability at an
effective range of 100 meters. The electrical shock is generated by
the impact energy, which excites a piezoelectric crystal to deliver
a shock of up to 175 joules (x6 more than conventional "electric
fences". This shock has enough energy to temporarily incapacitate
the threat. The new ammunition could be tuned to generate for
various degrees of shock upon impact, ranging from lower level jolt
for riot deterrence, to a discharge designed to cause immediate and
temporary incapacitation by disrupting the offender’s nervous
system. The program is currently in a pre-prototype phase, after
validating the technology and demonstrating the concept. According
to plans, the system could mature within two years (end of 2007).
ShockRounds are being considered to be inserted into
standard non lethal ammunition of various calibers from 37 to 9mm,
fired from standard weapons, including multiple shots and automatic
fire. The 37mm application could be compatible with police 37mm
launchers. These munitions are non-penetrating and could be used for
"behavior modifying" applications. Another application is the 12
gauge police-caliber rubber bullet. Since this bullet is designed to
produce decreased wound, electrical shock effect could decrease the
number of shots required to incapacitate a threat. 9mm or 10mm
standard police-caliber bullets are both lethal munitions. They
could be modified into less-lethal versions by using electrical
shock effect. Since the stopping power of the new ammunition will
not rely primarily on the pain or damage caused by a high velocity
impact, but on the high voltage discharge, their velocity of the
bullet could be reduced to optimal level that guarantee effective
stabilization and performance at the required range.
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