Electrified water cannon
Encyclopedia
This was a non-lethal weapon
under early research by Jaycor Tactical Systems, as part of a program to produce non-lethal weapons for law enforcement officers. It is sometimes referred to as the electrocuting
water cannon; however, the proposal was for low current, high voltage
pulses like those produced by a stun gun
, which do not cause electrocution. Further, the water jet was considerably smaller and less powerful than a water cannon
. Jaycor officially referred to its experiment as a "wireless stun gun".
In a "proof of concept" test, the system was capable of delivering electric shocks to human-sized targets at a range of up to 6 m (20 feet), although ranges of up to 30 m (100 feet) were believed to be technologically feasible. (Range was limited by the tendency of the jet to break up into separate droplets, which would no longer conduct the current.) In operation, a nozzle ejected high-pressure saline
solution through which low current, high-voltage pulses were delivered to the target. The voltage pulses were generated by a small self-contained electronics pack powered by a 9-volt battery. The system was capable of penetrating thick clothing. It was only ever tested on dummy targets fitted with electronic sensors.
Advantages of this weapon over prior generations such as the taser
included increased range, the ability to engage multiple targets, and lack of reliance on barbed darts to attach the current source to the target. Also, because the water jet and electric pulse were controlled separately, the operator could check the aim before sending the shock, thus reducing the risk of hitting innocent bystanders.
As of February 2006, it appears the project has been abandoned. Jaycor's current publications on non-lethal shock weapons refer instead to the "Sticky Shocker", a projectile similar to a taser dart but using glue to adhere to the target instead of barbs.
Weapon
A weapon, arm, or armament is a tool or instrument used with the aim of causing damage or harm to living beings or artificial structures or systems...
under early research by Jaycor Tactical Systems, as part of a program to produce non-lethal weapons for law enforcement officers. It is sometimes referred to as the electrocuting
Electric shock
Electric Shock of a body with any source of electricity that causes a sufficient current through the skin, muscles or hair. Typically, the expression is used to denote an unwanted exposure to electricity, hence the effects are considered undesirable....
water cannon; however, the proposal was for low current, high voltage
Voltage
Voltage, otherwise known as electrical potential difference or electric tension is the difference in electric potential between two points — or the difference in electric potential energy per unit charge between two points...
pulses like those produced by a stun gun
Stun gun
Stun gun may refer to:*Electroshock weapon, an incapacitant weapon that momentarily disables a person with an electric shock*Directed-energy weapon, a weapon that emits energy in an aimed direction without projectile, if it causes unconsciousness...
, which do not cause electrocution. Further, the water jet was considerably smaller and less powerful than a water cannon
Water cannon
A water cannon is a device that shoots a high-pressure stream of water. Typically, a water cannon can deliver a large volume of water, often over dozens of metres / hundreds of feet. They are used in firefighting and riot control. Most water cannon fall under the category of a fire...
. Jaycor officially referred to its experiment as a "wireless stun gun".
In a "proof of concept" test, the system was capable of delivering electric shocks to human-sized targets at a range of up to 6 m (20 feet), although ranges of up to 30 m (100 feet) were believed to be technologically feasible. (Range was limited by the tendency of the jet to break up into separate droplets, which would no longer conduct the current.) In operation, a nozzle ejected high-pressure saline
Sodium chloride
Sodium chloride, also known as salt, common salt, table salt or halite, is an inorganic compound with the formula NaCl. Sodium chloride is the salt most responsible for the salinity of the ocean and of the extracellular fluid of many multicellular organisms...
solution through which low current, high-voltage pulses were delivered to the target. The voltage pulses were generated by a small self-contained electronics pack powered by a 9-volt battery. The system was capable of penetrating thick clothing. It was only ever tested on dummy targets fitted with electronic sensors.
Advantages of this weapon over prior generations such as the taser
Taser
A Taser is an electroshock weapon that uses electrical current to disrupt voluntary control of muscles. Its manufacturer, Taser International, calls the effects "neuromuscular incapacitation" and the devices' mechanism "Electro-Muscular Disruption technology"...
included increased range, the ability to engage multiple targets, and lack of reliance on barbed darts to attach the current source to the target. Also, because the water jet and electric pulse were controlled separately, the operator could check the aim before sending the shock, thus reducing the risk of hitting innocent bystanders.
As of February 2006, it appears the project has been abandoned. Jaycor's current publications on non-lethal shock weapons refer instead to the "Sticky Shocker", a projectile similar to a taser dart but using glue to adhere to the target instead of barbs.