FN 303
| FN303 | |
|---|---|
 A U.S. Marine aiming an FN303 fitted with an EOTech holographic sight | |
| Type | Less-lethal launcher |
| Place of origin |  Belgium |
| Service history | |
| Used by | See Users |
| Production history | |
| Designer | FN Herstal |
| Manufacturer | FN Herstal |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | Template:Kg to lb |
| Length | Template:Mm to in |
| Barrel length | 250 mm (9.8 in) |
| Caliber | 18 mm |
| Action | Compressed air |
| Muzzle velocity | 85 m/s (279 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range | 70 m |
| Feed system | 15-round detachable drum magazine |
| Sights | Front blade, rear notch |
The FN 303 is a semi-automatic less-lethal launcher designed and manufactured by Fabrique Nationale de Herstal. The FN303's projectiles have been specifically designed to break up on impact, eliminating risks of penetrating injuries. Typical operating scenarios include domestic violence intervention, marking violent suspects and building surveillance.[1]
Overview
The FN 303 uses compressed air to fire projectiles from a 15-round drum magazine. It is designed to incapacitate the target through blunt trauma without causing critical injuries, and is most widely used for riot control and other kinds of combat where lethal weapons should be avoided. The 303 can be fired from the shoulder using adjustable iron sights, or it can be mounted in an under-barrel configuration on most assault rifles when its stock assembly is removed (in this configuration, it is designated M303). It also comes with a top-mounted Picatinny rail that can fit most commercial weapon accessories, such as telescopic sights, laser sights and tactical lights. FN markets its own set of accessories for the launcher, including tactical vests, slings, carrying bags, and gas compressors. It is accurate at distances up to 35 meters.
Development History
The FN 303 is based on a proof of concept project originated by the Monterey Bay Corporation and designated the XM303 by that company. The development team consisted of designers and researchers from two paintball related design and manufacturing firms - AirGun Designs and Gun F/X, a division of Pro-Team Products.
The proof of concept prototype was named the UBTPS - Under Barrel Tactical Payload System.[2]
The design could be attached to an M16 rifle[3] and was conceived as a less-than-lethal weapon system coupled with a lethal weapon system, providing a wide range of response capabilities that were immediately available. A stand-alone version was also developed.
The UBTPS also featured a rotating barrel magazine, allowing for a wide range of different projectiles to be available and selectable without the need to change magazines.
Monterey Bay Corporation and specifically Gun F/X also developed the bismuth-weighted projectile to provide the necessary mass, allowing the UTPBS to achieve the engagement range requirements.
Ammunition
All types of FN 303 ammunition contain a non-toxic granulated bismuth forward payload. The ammunition is designed to fragment upon impact to prevent penetration damage. Secondary rear payloads vary. They are:
- Training/impact - 100% non-toxic glycol base
- Permanent paint - latex based polymer-based paint
- Washable paint - fluorescent pink pigment in non-toxic glycol base
- Oleoresin capsicum - orange dyed non-toxic glycol base mixed with 10% OC (pepper spray) at 2 million SHU.
Safety
The FN 303 was involved in a controversial 2004 incident in Boston in which Victoria Snelgrove was accidentally shot in the eye and fatally wounded.[4] Subsequent tests by Boston Police indicated that the 303's accuracy "decreased significantly" after about three hundred firings. This is circumstantially corroborated by testimony of the officer who fired the weapon, stating that he was aiming at a rioter throwing bottles and did not even know that a bystander had been hit.[5]
FN Herstal has stated that they were unable to reproduce the results of the tests: "[the Boston Police] tried to test the equipment without proper information and training, and the results were flawed." They are looking into concerns about the FN 303, but they do not believe a recall will be required.[citation needed]
During violent protests in front of the ARCELOR [former ARBED] building in Luxembourg city on May 11, 2009, the weapon was used for the first time by Luxembourgish police forces. An RTL cameraman was shot at the hand, breaking one finger.[6]
Users
Australia: Western Australia Police, Specialist units
Georgia: Georgian Police first used paint and pepper ammunition in 2009 during opposition forces after trying to take by force restricted area
Italy: Polizia Penitenziaria, adopted in 2008.
Luxembourg: Police Grand-Ducale (used only once during protests at the ARCELOR [former ARBED] building in Luxembourg city, injuring an RTL cameraman) [7]
Netherlands: Koninklijke Marechaussée
Switzerland
United States: Used by the San Francisco Police Department,[8] the Greenfield Police Department[9], the U.S. Customs and Border Protection[10] service and the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps.
See also
- Variable Velocity Weapon System - The successor for the FN303 [11]
References
- ^ http://www.airforce-technology.com/contractors/weapons/fn_herstal/press2.html
- ^ "U.B.T.P.S Underbarrel Tactical Paintball System". Gun F/X.
- ^ "Non-Lethal Weapon Measures of Effectiveness". Monterey Bay Corporation.
- ^ "Boston police accept 'full responsibility' in death of Red Sox fan". CNN.com. Cable News Network LP, LLLP. 2004-10-22.
- ^ Murphy, Shelley (2005-03-11). "Crowd-control gun's accuracy is questioned". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2008-10-21.
- ^ "ArcelorMittal: Siège am Viséier vun de Stolaarbechter". RTL.lu. 2009-05-11. Retrieved 2009-05-20.
- ^ "RTL-Kameramann mécht Plainte géint onbekannte Polizist". RTL.lu. 2009-05-20. Retrieved 2009-05-20.
- ^ Stannard, Matthew B. (2002-09-20). "Cops go ga-ga over latest gadgets". San Francisco Chronicle. p. A-21.
- ^ "Police Weapons in the USA: California". World Small Arms Inventory. Grey Tiger. Retrieved 2008-10-21.
- ^ http://www.airforce-technology.com/contractors/weapons/fn_herstal/press4.html
- ^ Variable Velocity Weapon System