Belgium’s FN Herstal is introducing onto the market a new less-than-lethal system designed to drastically reduce the occurrence of serious injuries inflicted by unintentional headshots.
To be showcased at the Milipol 2023 trade show, held in Paris from 14 to 17 November, the FN Smart ProtectoR-303T less-lethal solution detects human heads so as to drastically reduce the risk of serious and potentially irreversible injuries.
The system is intended primarily for law enforcement where the use of lethal force must be avoided, such as crowd control, policing riots and social disturbances, day-to-day patrolling and public safety operations for large events.
The FN Smart ProtectoR-303T is designed around the shoulder-fired FN 303 less-lethal system, which is in service with a large number of law enforcement agencies, special units and military forces worldwide. This uses compressed air to fire 18 mm-calibre projectiles that break up on impact to avoid penetration, delivering a highly dissuasive impact similar to a baton strike beyond the range of hand-thrown projectiles.
However, onto the FN 303 is integrated an electro-optical solution consisting of an on-board FN VictoR-SP camera and image processing software that detects human heads in real time, providing audible and visual warnings as well as an automated trigger blocking mechanism. According to FN, “This technology drastically reduces the risk of serious and potentially irreversible head-related injuries.”
The camera can also record images taken as rounds are discharged, providing valuable data for after-action reviews or judicial investigations.
The system’s battery lasts from five to 12 hours, depending on usage, and features an automatic sleep mode to reduce power consumption. An external power pack can be added if necessary.
Additionally, the FN Smart ProtectoR-303T can act as an integrated pre-mission training system, with an app available to provide a tool for weapon skills development. The user interface shows the predicted point of impact and the muzzle movement prior and after each shot in order to provide metrics on shooter weaknesses. Recorded video can also be used to rehearse against a pre-recorded scenario used on a projector display.
