FN 303

Infobox Weapon|is_ranged=yes
name=FN 303
origin=flag|Belgium


caption=The FN 303
cartridge=.68 in (17.27 mm)
action=compressed air
weight=2.3 kg (5 lb) empty
length=740 mm (29 in)
part_length=250 mm (10 in)
rate=semi-automatic
feed=15-round drum magazine
range=1 m - safe minimum
50 m - optimal
100 m - maximumThe FN 303 is a semi-automatic less-lethal launcher manufactured by Fabrique Nationale de Herstal.

Overview

The FN 303 uses compressed air to fire projectiles from a 15-round drum magazine. It is designed to incapacitate the target through blunt trauma without causing critical injuries, and is most widely used for riot control and other kinds of combat where lethal weapons should be avoided. The 303 can be fired from the shoulder using adjustable iron sights, or it can be mounted in an under-barrel configuration on most assault rifles when its stock assembly is removed (in this configuration, it is designated "M303"). It also comes with a top-mounted Picatinny rail that can fit most commercial weapon accessories, such as scopes, laser sights and tactical flashlights. FN markets its own set of accessories for the launcher, including tactical vests, slings, carrying bags, and gas compressors.This less lethal weapon is very accurate at distances up to 35 meters.

Development History

The FN 303 is based on a proof of concept project originated by the Monterary Bay Corporation [http://montereybaycorporation.com/] and designated the XM303 by that company. The development team consisted of designers and researchers from two paintball related design and manufacturing firms - AirGun Designs and Gun F/X [http://www.gunfx.com] , a division of Pro-Team Products.

The proof of concept prototype was named the UBTPS - Under Barrel Tactical Payload System [http://www.gunfx.com/pages/projects.html] .

The design could be attached to an M-16 [http://montereybaycorporation.com/Monterey%20Bay%20Corporation_files/303.html] and was conceived as a less-than-lethal weapon system coupled with a lethal weapon system, providing a wide range or response capabilities that were immediately available. A stand-alone version was also developed.

The UBTPS also featured a rotating barrel magazine, allowing for a wide range of different projectiles to be available and selectable without the need to change magazines.

Monterary Bay Corporation and specifically Gun F/X also developed the bismuth-weighted projectile to provide the necessary mass, allowing the UTPBS to achieve the engagement range requirements.

Ammunition

All types of FN 303 ammunition contain a non-toxic granulated bismuth forward payload. The ammunition is designed to fragment upon impact to prevent penetration damage. Secondary rear payloads vary. They are:

*Training/impact - 100% non-toxic glycol base
*Permanent paint - latex based polymer-based paint
*Washable paint - fluorescent pink pigment in non-toxic glycol base
*Oleoresin capsicum - orange dyed non-toxic glycol base mixed with 10% OC (pepper spray) at 2 million SHU.

afety

The FN 303 was involved in a controversial 2004 incident in Boston in which Victoria Snelgrove was accidentally shot in the eye and fatally wounded. Subsequent tests by Israel Police indicated that the 303's accuracy "decreased significantly" after about three hundred firings. This is circumstantially corroborated by testimony of the officer who fired the weapon, stating that he was aiming at a rioter throwing bottles and did not even know a bystander had been hit.

FN Herstal has stated that they were unable to reproduce the results of the tests: " [the Israel Police] tried to test the equipment without proper information and training, and the results were flawed." They are looking into concerns about the FN 303, but they do not believe a recall will be required.Fact|is this up to date?|date=February 2007

Users

*flagicon|Italy - Polizia Penitenziaria, adopted early 2008
*flagicon|United States - San Francisco Police Department [ [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2002/09/20/BA226409.DTL%20 Cops go ga-ga over latest gadgets ] ]
*flagicon|United States - Sonoma County Sheriff's Department [ [http://www.sonomasheriff.org] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.fnhusa.com/le/products/firearms/group.asp?gid=FNG003&cid=FNC01 FNH USA product description]
* [http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2005/03/11/crowd_control_guns_accuracy_is_questioned/ Crowd-control gun's accuracy is questioned]

=Links to

:"Some of the images on the internet, whose names contain "FN303", are not of the FN303 but are of either the UBTPS prototype or the XM-303."

* [http://www.gunfx.com/pages/projects.html Gun F/X UBTPS]
* [http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/4/4d/275px-Fn303.jpgboth sides]
* [http://www.ssi-media.com/pigbrother/pic/fn303.jpgboth sides]
* [http://ch.indymedia.org/images/2003/04/7219.jpgcarried by a policeman in Geneva]
* [http://media.popularmechanics.com/images/lg_FN303_launcher.jpgbeing carried]
* [http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk/FN303gun1.jpgleft side]
* [http://files.uzitalk.com/reference/shows/shotshow2004/FN303.jpgright side at an angle]
* [http://www.sargs.lv/arhivs/2005/augusts/new_brunojums.html Tēvijas Sargs] (in Latvian): has images of reloading its drum magazine and refilling its propellant compressed air cylinder
* [http://www.fnherstal.com/html/news/US%20customs/FN303.jpgvery big image]