Non-Lethal Weapon Measures of Effectiveness (MOEs)

The XM303 Under-Barrel Tactical Payload System (UBTPS) uniquely meets or exceeds critical non-lethal weapon (NLW) MOEs to provide US Military personnel with the ability to respond and control the gamut of civil disturbance missions.

1. STAND-OFF:

Defined as the relative effective range versus potential threat capabilities

Experience indicates an adult male can throw a rock or fire bomb to a distance of 25-35 meters

The XM303 is the only NLW candidate to demonstrate point target accuracy to 100 meters. This gives US forces a stand-off advantage of 65 meters - a factor of 3!

In comparison, the 12 Gauge Shotgun has a maximum effective range of 33 meters. This means US forces are always at risk when equipped with the shotgun.

The 37 mm Grenade (max effective range 50 meters) and the 40 mm Grenade (max effective range 62 meters) provide effective stand-off ranges of 15 and 27 meters respectively. This is less than 25% and 42% of the XM303.

The XM303's high rate of fire (ROF) of 200 rounds per minute and high magazine capacity also enhances effective stand-off. Crowds cannot close with US forces while the security personnel are reloading.

All UBTPS projectiles can be fired to the maximum range.
2. INCAPACITATE:

Understood as rendering threat personnel incapable of taking further action with a minimal risk of permanent injury or lethal target effect.

Experience indicates that the target effect that will incapacitate a healthy adult male could result in serious injury or death to a child.

The array of UBTPS projectiles - including marking, OC, and maloderant rounds - affords US security forces the ability to incapacitate agitators using other than blunt trauma as a means to achieve target effect.

The XM303 maloderant round, in particular, will incapacitate rioters without any long term deleterious effects what-soever. This is true even for pregnant women such as those used by Somali warlords as shields for their fighters. The maloderant round will cause 99.8% of subjects effected to become nauseous and begin vomiting within seconds of impact. Incapacitation is complete and lasts for several hours.

The XM303 projectile impacts the target with a maximum of 22 foot pounds of force per square inch (fp/in2). In comparison, the 12 Gauge 'bean bag' NLW round delivers 20 fp/in2. The XM303 hits harder.

The XM303 has demonstrated unique accuracy. Firing tests conducted in an M16A2 quality assurance facility showed a 5-round shot group at 50 meter range that fit on a 3x5 card. This enables US security forces to pinpoint target effect on suspected agitators with minimal risk of collateral damage.

The unique XM303 fin stabilized projectile is designed to break upon impact under all conditions. Even when fired at point blank range, the projectile nose fractures on impact and will not penetrate human skin.

3. DISTRACT:

Understood as the ability to divert the attention of a crowd so as to break down the cohesion and momentum of people causing and participating in a civil disturbance.

The XM303 maloderant round, with its ability to induce vomiting even among the crowds hardiest soles, will create a significant distraction. Seeing people in the crowd throwing up will cause others to move away, to try and offer aid, or even to begin vomiting themselves. In any case, they are distracted from being a threat to US security forces.

In particular, because the XM303 can deliver the maloderant rounds with specific target accuracy, US forces can pinpoint agitators and instigators - who typically hang back from direct physical danger - and hit them with the maloderant. The degradation of 'command and control' in the crowd when followers see their leaders embarrassing themselves in public can easily be appreciated. This is especially true in cultures where such behavior would be seen as a show of weakness.

The OC round can deliver a similar effect to a lesser extent.

The maloderant round can also be used to deny access to an area. The severe stench created by the maloderant round can be used to create invisible barriers. Rioters will be distracted by the awful smell to identify its source and find ways to avoid it. Persistence can be set for 2 hours to 2 days.

The maloderant round is unique to the XM303 UBTPS.

4. CONFUSE:

Understood as degrading the ability of instigators and agitators to maintain control of the crowd rank and file so as to minimize their ability to react to security force actions. Confusion results when the leaders are unable to exercise control, and/or when the crowd won't follow.

Experience has shown that people will commit crimes, and reject lawful instructions to disperse, when they believe themselves to be hidden in the anonymity of a crowd.

The XM303 range and accuracy gives US security forces the ability to achieve target effect at distances previously unreachable. This creates confusion because security personnel can deny the crowd assembly areas and 'rain' down maloderant and marking rounds well before the rank and file expected to be hit.

As the crowd moves forward, security forces can take them under fire at extreme ranges - equal to a football field away - so that people being hit by XM303 rounds start falling away early on. Cries of pain and people stumbling will amplify the confusion.

The XM303 marking round, containing indelible dyes mixed with microtagants (for evidentiary purposes), will confuse the rank and file. Where they thought they could act without fear of being identified and arrested, they now see themselves 'marked' and exposed. Brightly colored paint splattering in the eyes will make it harder to see the leaders signals.

The maloderant round, as discussed above, can be used at range to take the fight out of the agitators. Without leaders, the crowd will break down in confusion.