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SADJ 7#3

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Less-Lethal<br />

Launchers During<br />

Protest in Turkey<br />

BY N.R. JENZEN-JONES<br />

Crowd control actions executed by<br />

Turkish police in 2013 have showcased<br />

the employment of several<br />

less-lethal launchers. Aside from a<br />

range of medium-calibre riot guns<br />

(including 37/38mm Federal Riot Guns,<br />

37/38mm Penn Arms PL-8 rotary launchers,<br />

and MKE 40mm launchers) firing CS,<br />

impact, and possibly OC munitions, three<br />

other less-lethal launchers have been observed.<br />

Each of these launchers have the<br />

ability to fire multiple projectiles quickly,<br />

and a capacity which exceeds that<br />

of the typically-employed 12 gauge and<br />

37/38mm and 40mm systems. Both of<br />

these weapons appear to be in use by the<br />

Çevik Kuvvet anti-riot police unit. There<br />

has been some confusion about what these<br />

systems are, where they are produced, and<br />

what their capabilities are.<br />

The Fabrique Nationale d’Herstal<br />

(FNH) FN 303 is a purpose-designed,<br />

semiautomatic weapon that uses compressed<br />

air to propel projectiles approximately<br />

100 meters. It functions primarily<br />

as an impact weapon, although several of<br />

the available (FN-proprietary) projectiles<br />

have secondary effects, as described below.<br />

The weapon is constructed primarily<br />

of polymer, and is relatively lightweight at<br />

2.2 kg. There is a Picatinny rail along the<br />

top of the receiver, and folding front and<br />

rear iron sights. An EOTech holographic<br />

sight, specifically calibrated to match the<br />

FN 303’s ballistic profile, is also available.<br />

The FN 303 is fed from a 15-round detachable<br />

drum magazine, which features a clear<br />

polymer back plate to allow for rapid identification<br />

of round count and type. Magazine<br />

changes can be accomplished in a few<br />

seconds, and magazines can be reloaded in<br />

around 30 seconds. The weapon is factory-set<br />

to a muzzle velocity of 86-91 metres<br />

per second. Compressed air canisters are<br />

factory-specified, and the user manual<br />

warns against using other containers. One<br />

full tank should last for at least 100 shots.<br />

FN 303 ammunition has also been<br />

documented in Turkey with 18mm (.68<br />

calibre) glycol-based impact munition for<br />

the FN 303. Other available projectiles<br />

include powder-based impact, impact<br />

plus indelible marker paint, impact plus<br />

washable marker paint, and impact plus<br />

irritant powder. The munitions all contain<br />

a bismuth payload to provide weight for<br />

impact, and are fin-stabilised to provide<br />

accuracy at longer ranges than many other<br />

less-lethal launchers. All have the primary<br />

effect of incapacitating the target or<br />

degrading his or her will to fight through<br />

force of impact.<br />

Marker rounds have the secondary<br />

effect of assisting authorities in identifying<br />

potentially threatening individuals.<br />

The irritant projectile contains a synthetic<br />

capsaicin known as PAVA (for pelargonic<br />

acid vanillylamide; also known as nonivamide),<br />

which delivers a disruptive or<br />

incapacitating effect. At close range, these<br />

projectiles have been known to penetrate<br />

sheetrock, hollow-core doors, and auto<br />

glass and still affect the target behind<br />

cover. FN Herstal estimates the range for<br />

point targets at 50 meters, but the weapon<br />

can be effective out to 100 meters against<br />

area targets, such as crowds. FNH USA estimates<br />

the minimum engagement range<br />

at 1 meter, but U.S. DoD policy forbids engagement<br />

at ranges less than 5 meters.<br />

As with other impact munitions such<br />

as rubber bullets or 37/40mm impact projectiles,<br />

it is essential to engage targets in<br />

the limbs or torso to avoid serious injury.<br />

The FN 303 manual warns that, “Death or<br />

serious injury may result from projectiles<br />

striking the head or neck.” It is important<br />

to remember that there are risks inherent<br />

to the use of all less-lethal systems; this is<br />

precisely why there is a trend towards the<br />

use of the term ‘less-lethal’ rather than<br />

‘non-lethal’. Comparatively safe systems,<br />

such as the FN 303, are often a preferable<br />

alternative to the use of live rounds or other,<br />

more dangerous less-lethal solutions.<br />

It appears that the Turkish police<br />

tested the FN 303 in 2008, and introduced<br />

it into service in 2010. A 2010 article<br />

from Dünya Bülteni, a Turkish news<br />

24 SADEFENSEJOURNAL.COM

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