OUSD (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Directed Energy (DE) OBJECTIVE: Developing and implementing less-lethal technologies such as the light-emitting diode (LED) weapon is crucial to ensuring the safety of both law enforcement officers and civilians during potentially violent interactions. The objective of this initiative is to provide officers with non-lethal alternatives that minimize the risk of injury or death to both suspects and bystanders while also being effective in stopping potential threats. In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the need for less-lethal options in law enforcement and military operations. Lethal force should only be used as a last resort, and officers must have effective alternatives that can be used when lethal force is unwarranted or could cause unnecessary harm. Less-lethal options like LED weapons have proven effective in incapacitating or disorienting suspects while minimizing the risk of serious injury or death. DESCRIPTION: The Air Force Security Forces Center has identified a critical need for a less-lethal weapon that can incorporate incapacitating LED lights and be deployed by throwing it into a room before entry. This weapon will provide security forces with an effective tool to minimize the risk of injury or death to all parties involved during operations that require non-lethal force. The proposed weapon will also be designed to meet the unique needs and requirements of the Air Force. It will undergo rigorous testing and evaluation to ensure its effectiveness and safety. The development of this weapon aligns with the Air Force's commitment to modernizing its equipment and enhancing the capabilities of its security forces to carry out their missions effectively and efficiently. The weapon must meet the following characteristics. 1. Lightweight and compact; The weapon should be small and easy to carry and not add significant weight to the equipment of security forces. 2. Durable; The weapon should withstand the impact of being thrown into a room or against a hard surface without breaking or malfunctioning. 3. LED lights; The weapon should feature bright, flashing LED lights capable of temporarily incapacitating individuals, causing confusion, and disorienting the target. 4. Non-lethal; The weapon should be designed to minimize the risk of serious injury or death, both to the target and to bystanders in the area. 5. Accuracy; The weapon should be designed to enable accurate throwing so that security forces can aim it at specific targets and minimize the risk of hitting innocent bystanders. 6. Reusability; The weapon should be designed to be reusable so that security forces can deploy it multiple times in a single operation if necessary. 7. Safety; The weapon should undergo rigorous testing and evaluation to ensure it does not pose a significant risk of injury or death to security forces or targets. 8. Compatibility; The weapon should be compatible with other equipment and technology security forces use and easily integrate into existing operational procedures. 9. Compliance; The weapon must meet all DOD and Air Force Compliance standards PHASE I: As this is a Direct-to-Phase-II (D2P2) topic, no Phase I awards will be made as a result of this topic. To qualify for this D2P2 topic, the Government expects the applicant to demonstrate feasibility by means of a prior Phase I-type effort that does not constitute work undertaken as part of a prior or ongoing SBIR/STTR funding agreement. Applicants are expected to provide feasibility documentation that addresses the following information: Provide a detailed technical description of the weapon system, including its design, components, and functionality. This must include information on using LED lights and the ability to deploy the system by throwing it into a room before entry. List how the weapon system will meet the requirements, such as being lightweight and compact, durable, incorporating LED lights, and designed to minimize the risk of severe injury or death. Provide a detailed Development Plan for developing the weapon system, including a timeline, milestones, and estimated costs. PHASE II: System Development, Testing, Deployment Testing and Evaluation The testing and evaluation process for the non-lethal weapon system would involve rigorous testing to ensure its safety, effectiveness, and compatibility with other equipment and technology. The weapon would undergo various testing scenarios to simulate real-world situations to assess its performance in different environments and against various targets. The tests would evaluate the weapon's ability to withstand impact, accuracy, and its capacity to disorient or incapacitate targets. Testing would also examine the weapon's reusability, durability, and compatibility with other equipment and technology. The weapon would also be evaluated for safety, ensuring it does not pose a significant risk of injury or death to security forces or targets. Deployment Implementing the non-lethal weapon system would involve integrating it into existing operational procedures. This would require training and education for security forces to ensure they understand the capabilities and limitations of the weapon and can use it effectively and efficiently. Logistical and operational considerations would also need to be addressed, including how to distribute the weapon and how to handle any malfunctions or issues that may arise during deployment. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Awardee(s) will be expected to expand the capability of a non-lethal system by conducting further research and development to identify additional features or improvements that could be made to enhance its effectiveness and versatility. This could include exploring different types of non-lethal technology, such as sound-based or electric-based incapacitating devices and integrating them into the system. Additionally, expanding the system's capability would require ongoing testing and evaluation to ensure that any new features or improvements do not compromise the safety of security forces or the system's effectiveness. This testing and evaluation process could involve simulated scenarios and real-world testing under controlled conditions. Finally, expanding the capability of the non-lethal system would also require ongoing training and education for security forces to ensure that they are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to use the system in various situations effectively. This could involve regular training exercises and simulations, as well as incorporating the system into the standard training curriculum for security forces. REFERENCES: AFI 31-117, Arming and Use of Force by Air Force Personnel; DoD Instruction 5200.08, Defense Law of War Program; DoD Instruction 3150.08, Application of Laser and Directed Energy Weapons.; KEYWORDS: Non-lethal weapons; Security forces; Military operations; Law enforcement; Incapacitating devices; Research and development; Light Emitting Diode: LED; Less than Lethal
