An intelligent munition can position circuitry in a 12 gauge form factor that detects the distance from a target in real-time in order to deploy a parachute to slow the munition to a speed that is conducive to accurate, but non-lethal, deployment of at least one electrode toward the target. The munition can intelligently discharge electrical charge into the target via an electrode to disable the target. The munition may further monitor the target and deliver a subsequent electrical discharge in response to detected target movement.

An intelligent munition can position circuitry in a 12 gauge form factor that detects the distance from a target in real-time in order to deploy a parachute to slow the munition to a speed that is conducive to accurate, but non-lethal, deployment of at least one electrode toward the target. The munition can intelligently discharge electrical charge into the target via an electrode to disable the target. The munition may further monitor the target and deliver a subsequent electrical discharge in response to detected target movement.

A projectile deployment system includes an entangling projectile including a pair of pellets and a tether connecting the pellets. A projectile casing includes a pair of sockets, each socket sized to carry one of the pair of pellets and a selectively activatable pressure source, carried by the projectile casing. The pressure source is capable of expelling the entangling projectile from the projectile casing toward a subject. A launcher carries an activator operable to activate the pressure source to expel the entangling projectile from the projectile casing toward the subject. The projectile casing is removably engageable with the launcher to allow removal of the projectile casing from the launcher after expulsion of the entangling projectile from the projectile casing.

A projectile deployment system includes an entangling projectile including a pair of pellets and a tether connecting the pellets. A projectile casing includes a pair of sockets, each socket sized to carry one of the pair of pellets and a selectively activatable pressure source, carried by the projectile casing. The pressure source is capable of expelling the entangling projectile from the projectile casing toward a subject. A launcher carries an activator operable to activate the pressure source to expel the entangling projectile from the projectile casing toward the subject. The projectile casing is removably engageable with the launcher to allow removal of the projectile casing from the launcher after expulsion of the entangling projectile from the projectile casing.

This invention relates to less-lethal munitions. More particularly, the invention relates to a wad and a less-lethal round of ammunition adapted for use with a conventional firearm, which less-lethal shell enables the firearm to propel less-lethal projectiles therefrom. According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a wad operatively received within an ammunition casing, the wad comprising a substantially disc-shaped base; and a plurality of tabs extending from the base defining a receiving zone therebetween, with at least some of the tabs provided with an inwardly projecting formation for urging against a projectile operatively received within the receiving zone.

An apparatus for launching a payload includes a primary barrel, a primary projectile including a secondary barrel, and a secondary projectile including the payload. Prior to firing the apparatus to launch the payload, the primary projectile is contained within the primary barrel, and the secondary projectile is contained within the secondary barrel. Ignition, detonation, or expansion of a primary propellant within the primary barrel launches the primary projectile from the primary barrel. Ignition, detonation, or expansion of a secondary propellant within the secondary barrel launches the secondary projectile from the secondary barrel. The secondary projectile can further include a volume of a secondary explosive material; detonation of the secondary explosive material propels at least a portion of the payload away from a remainder of the secondary projectile. The payload can include cremation remains, DNA, or text, images, or other information.

A projectile deployment system includes an entangling projectile that includes a pair of pellets and a tether connecting the pellets. A projectile casing includes a pair of sockets, each socket sized to carry one of the pair of pellets, each of the sockets including a longitudinal axis, the pair of sockets being positioned relative to one another such that the longitudinal sockets diverge horizontally away from one another while at least a portion of one of the sockets is arranged vertically higher than another of the sockets. A selectively activatable pressure source is capable of expelling the entangling projectile from the projectile casing toward a subject. A launcher carries an activator operable to activate the pressure source to expel the entangling projectile from the projectile casing toward the subject.

A projectile deployment system includes an entangling projectile that includes a pair of pellets and a tether connecting the pellets. A projectile casing includes a pair of sockets, each socket sized to carry one of the pair of pellets, each of the sockets including a longitudinal axis, the pair of sockets being positioned relative to one another such that the longitudinal sockets diverge horizontally away from one another while at least a portion of one of the sockets is arranged vertically higher than another of the sockets. A selectively activatable pressure source is capable of expelling the entangling projectile from the projectile casing toward a subject. A launcher carries an activator operable to activate the pressure source to expel the entangling projectile from the projectile casing toward the subject.

A projectile which can be used to defeat an unmanned aerial system. The projectile features sabots which do not impart any forward impedance to the sub-projectiles, and carries a payload of stacked rings enclosed in the projectile. The rings are backed by a support ring, and abut a pusher aft section. The projectile's sabots discard cleanly upon muzzle exit, releasing the ring sub-projectiles to cover a large area, thereby increasing the probability of impacting the target. The rings create large holes in the target, despite comparatively low mass of a given ring as a defeat element, allowing for multiple sub-projectiles to be fired with a single shot, thereby creating the effect of firing multiple projectiles with a single shot.

A projectile which can be used to defeat an unmanned aerial system. The projectile features sabots which do not impart any forward impedance to the sub-projectiles, and carries a payload of stacked rings enclosed in the projectile. The rings are backed by a support ring, and abut a pusher aft section. The projectile's sabots discard cleanly upon muzzle exit, releasing the ring sub-projectiles to cover a large area, thereby increasing the probability of impacting the target. The rings create large holes in the target, despite comparatively low mass of a given ring as a defeat element, allowing for multiple sub-projectiles to be fired with a single shot, thereby creating the effect of firing multiple projectiles with a single shot.