FN Herstal (Belgium) is well known in the world of defence and security as a major designer and manufacturer of small arms, ammunition and integrated weapon systems. From pistols to .50 cal machine guns, its products have been in service with military and law enforcement organisations on all continents for about a century. The company also has two decades of successful experience in kinetic-energy, less-lethal equipment and recently went one step further in unveiling a unique solution specifically dedicated to law enforcement and public safety missions.
Today we will be talking to Francois Legras, programme lead for the FN Smart Protector®, about this interesting new development from FN Herstal.
What makes your solution such a revolution in kinetic-energy, less-lethal systems?
With the FN Smart ProtectoR®-303T, we integrate for the first time several highly advanced opto-electronics and software into a portable armament, ie a long-proven, less-lethal platform. The FN Smart ProtectoR® takes advantage of cutting-edge technologies and significantly reduces the risk of inflicting severe and potentially irreversible injuries on suspects or passers by if a projectile were to hit a head unintentionally.
How does FN Smart ProtectoR® work?
The FN Smart Protector®-303T combines the well-known FN 303® Tactical less-lethal launcher, an onboard camera that captures images and software that processes them in real time and distinguishes human heads. If the launcher is pointing in a direction that creates a risk of hitting someone in the head, the user receives audible and visual warnings and the trigger is momentarily blocked. We have implemented technologies to the point where compromises have been highly optimised to fit the requirements of an ergonomic, portable, less-lethal launcher without introducing constraints or needing additional training for operators.
Can you describe the FN 303® system?
The FN 303® is a shoulder-fired launcher that uses compressed air to fire spin-stabilised projectiles with a highly dissuasive impact effect. FN 303® projectiles are designed to impart energy similar to a baton strike and to break up on impact, avoiding abrasions or penetrating injury.
The FN 303® is intrinsically very safe, efficient and accurate. This ensures that projectiles hit where they are aimed. The system will often be used in confused, dynamic, high-stress situations where even a well-trained user might unintentionally hit an individual in the heads.
Well, the FN Smart ProtectoR®-303T drastically reduces the risk of unintentional headshots. Does it offer additional benefits?
Yes: events can be recorded, both audio and video, to provide valuable data for after-action reviews and, if necessary, judicial inquiries. The system also has a training mode allowing ‘firing’ without projectiles at paper targets and reviewing performance on a smartphone.
Who benefits from this new technology?
If someone is severely injured, it affects many people and adversely affects their lives. An accident involving a less-lethal headshot also generates issues, both legal and otherwise, for the agency responsible for the incident.
So modern technology has made a difference?
For the last decade the biggest improvement on kinetic, less-lethal launchers has been an addition of a proper reflex sight to help the operator to be more accurate. We thought we should – and could – bring the safety to a next level with the inclusion of new technologies combined with the already-accurate, safe and effective FN 303® system.
