Special Operations Command Seeks 40 mm “Kibosh” Capability

By Scott R. Gourley - January 9, 2012

1st Lt. Justin Kokernak of the 86th Brigade Support Troops Battalion of the 86th Brigade Combat Team (Mountain) fires an M203 Grenade Launcher at a firing range at Camp Atterbury in central Indiana, Jan. 14, 2011, during training to deploy to Afghanistan. U.S. Special Operations Command is seeking a “Kibosh” 40 mm round for low-velocity launchers, such as the M203 shown here, that would employ a non-lethal gas or liquid payload. DoD photo

United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) is seeking industry input to help develop an acquisition strategy, statement of work/statement of objectives, and performance specifications for a notional “Kibosh” 40 mm Low Velocity Non-Lethal Delivery System (LVNLDS).

The envisioned projectile could be employed on platforms like the M203, M320, MK13 EGLM, and Milkor MK14, M32 and M32A1 multi-shot grenade launchers.

According to a recently released request for information, “Special operations forces (SOF) missions require teams and individuals to be capable of stopping a vehicle/vessel and clearing a space. Each KIBOSH LVNLDS shall be capable of being shot from a 40 mm low velocity grenade launcher from over a distance of 150 feet and effectively dispensing the contents of a liquid or gas payload the size, shape and weight of a 12 gram Crossman CO2 cartridge into a vehicle, vessel, or room without going all the way into the space and harming individuals inside.”

Although USSOCOM is currently in the process of formally categorizing system performance attributes into various levels and priority of requirements, the recent announcement was accompanied by a rough listing of desired performance characteristics for LVNLDS.

Target sets identified are:

Primary

Vehicle roofs (sheet metal with headliner);
Boat roofs (3/4” glass reinforced fiberglass with foam core); and
Doors (steel door with foam core).

Secondary

Window/windshield
Wall (3/4” wood or particle board).

With a primary desired range of more than 150 feet and a secondary desired range of more than 300 feet, additional identified performance characteristics include:

Round expected to be shot at targets at 60-90 degrees;
Round capable of puncturing target material (but not go all the way through) and dispense greater than 90 percent of the liquid or gas payload inside target;
Round to provide visual confirmation of where round hit target (day and night);
Payload to stay attached to target after hitting target so that payload will remain on target (through employment of glue, hooks, spikes, etc.);
Payload to provide for antenna release/deployment after impact for payloads with transmitters/receivers;
Payload to allow for visual/IR LED/acoustic beacon clearance after impact with these payloads, and;
Payload to allow for deployment of flash bang type material.

Noting that the intent of the RFI “is to identify those companies that possess the technical expertise, current production facilities, and integration and test capability to assemble, test, and produce systems in quantities of 30 or more per month,” the announcement adds, “Those not able to provide all preferred features are still encouraged to submit information on the features currently available in their products and propose an applicable schedule for those features that are not.”