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Ministry of Defence

Answer

Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 2 April 2001, Official Report, column 68W, what the average kinetic energy on impact is at (a) one metre, (b) five metres, (c) 10 metres, (d) 20 metres, (e) 30 metres, (f) 50 metres, (g) 75 metres and (h) 100 metres of the (i) L5A7 baton round and (ii) L21A1 baton round fired from the L104 anti-riot gun; and what his assessment is of the probability of lethality following impact to the (A) head, (B) thorax and (C) abdomen for each of these KE measures. [158040] Mr. Spellar: I have been asked to reply. The table shows the average (mean) kinetic energy in Joules (J) of the L21A1 baton round from a clamped L104 gun, and for the L5A7 baton round. _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Range Kinetic energy of L21A1 Kinetic energy of L5A7 2 m 257J 274J 20 m 244J 246J 35 m 230J 216J 50 m 215J 200J _________________________________________________________________________________________________. There is no experimental data for kinetic energy at 1 m, 5 m, 10 m, 75 m, or 100 m; kinetic energy at these ranges could be estimated from the table. The probability of impacts to the head and upper thorax by the L21A1 will be significantly less than the incidence of impact to these areas by the L5A7. This is due to the improved accuracy and consistency achieved by the L21A1 weapon system.The probability of lethality to the head, thorax and abdomen, given an impact to these regions, cannot be calculated accurately. The assessment of the injury potential of the L21A1 batons round was undertaken as a comparative study between the two projectiles using computer and physical models of the biomechanical response of these regions, and the severity of specific injuries. The conclusions of the studies are described in the DSAC report placed in the Library of the House.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

368 c87-8W; 158040

Session

2000-01

Subjects

Injuries Research Riot control weapons Baton rounds

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk