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FN 303 Less Lethal Launching System
Individual Serviceman's Non-Lethal System (ISNLS)

The Fabrique Nationale 303 is a compressed air-operated, semi-automatic launcher designed to fire non-lethal projectiles at ranges of 10 to 100 meters, giving the warfighter the ability to engage targets with non-lethal force at increased distances and accuracy. The pneumatic launcher fires a polystyrene .68 caliber projectile that can mark, deliver a blunt impact to a target, or disperse a riot control agent (oleoresin capsicum). Each projectile is filled with bismuth and filler. The magazine holds 15 rounds and the pressurized air tank has a 110 shot reservoir capacity. Though often called a "paintball gun on steroids," a typical paintball is regulated at approximately 300-500 pounds per square inch (PSI), while the FN 303 is regulated at approximately 900 PSI. FN also developed an undercarriage mount allowing the system to be mounted on M16 series rifles and M4 series carbines.

The FN 303 Less Lethal Launching System is designed to deny access into/out of an area to individuals, move individuals through an area, and suppress individuals. This technology has the potential to support multiple missions including: force protection, detainee operations, crowd control, and defensive and offensive operations.

The US Army acquired its first FN 303s following an Urgent Material Release (UMR) in January 2005. The UMR resulted from a critical need for non-lethal force at a detainee camp in Afghanistan. Approximately 80 weapons, termed the Individual Serviceman Non-lethal System (ISNLS) were fielded within 60 days of the requirement arriving to Picatinny Arsenal. Picatinny's Office of the Project Manager for Close Combat Systems, specifically the Project Manager Improvised Explosive Device Defeat/Protect Force, oversaw the fulfillment of the UMR. The system was termed a niche item sustained for theater use only. In February 2008, Picatinny Arsenal fulfilled a second UMR for ISNLS.




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