China unveils electromagnetic gun for riot control
- The device, showcased on state television, fires coin-shaped bullets that are designed to minimise the risk of causing fatal injuries
- Using electromagnetic force rather than gunpowder allows users to vary the speed and force of the bullets
China has unveiled a new electromagnetic gun that fires coin-shaped bullets to be used for riot control.
The product was made public in a military technology programme aired on the state broadcaster CCTV on March 28. It described the device as “non-lethal” although it also showed it could penetrate wood and shatter glass bottles.
The gun, known as the CS/LW21 handheld electromagnetic launcher, was jointly developed by China North Industries Group Corporation Limited and other technology teams.
The design is intended to minimise the risk of killing people and allow the authorities to disperse crowds or suppress riots without causing serious harm to civilians.
Additionally, by using electromagnetic force instead of traditional gunpowder firing methods, the firing power can be adjusted according to distance or the nature of the target.
According to the video, the guns have a simple and sleek design with no extra parts, making them easier to handle and use.
China’s new ‘electromagnetic lever’ test set world record: CCTV
The barrel is designed so that a scope can easily be fitted and a display screen at the front provides information such as the battery level, rail temperature, bullet capacity, frequency, and firing mode. A double-chamber magazine allows for continuous firing and swift reloading.
“The gun is designed like coil guns, which use electric power to accelerate the projectile. When the nine-level coil is electrified, corresponding magnetic fields are formed, which allow the bullet to be sucked out by a relay race method,” the gun’s designer, Lei Fengqiao, told CCTV.
“It is powered by a built-in lithium-ion battery that can continuously fire hundreds of rounds when fully charged. The charging time is also very short, with little influence from temperature.”
The bullets used in these guns are shaped like coins, which Lei said offered several advantages over traditional gun barrels or projectiles. The coins are smoother and do not penetrate the body.
The trajectory is also less concentrated, which allows for multiple point hits with a good control effect.
Furthermore, these bullets are cheap to make, making them a cost-effective option.
The maximum firing frequency of the gun can reach several thousand rounds per minute, far exceeding the traditional rifle’s 700 to 800 rounds per minute.
Moreover, coin-shaped bullets are easier to carry, and because there is no gunpowder, storage and transport are also simpler.
Could China’s ‘electromagnetic sledge’ be the next maglev train?
During field tests, the guns easily penetrated double-layered 3mm-thick wooden boards and shattered cola and beer bottles.
The guns have a low firing sound, with no flash, smoke, or shells, and even the recoil is small. These features make the guns ideal for use in densely populated areas, where traditional firearms may cause panic or further violence, according to the report.
But given their capabilities, electromagnetic guns could be more lethal than conventional ones if the bullets are replaced by pointed ones that can penetrate the body.
