1033 Program impact on less-lethal industry

The 1033 Program was created by the U.S. Government to transfer surplus military equipment to local law enforcement agencies throughout the United States. The program was initiated in 1997 and has seen the transfer of billions of dollars worth of military hardware.

The 1033 Program included the following categories of items:

• Ammunition
• Clothing
• Vehicles
• Aircraft

Included in the transfers were 40mm launchers for use by tactical teams. The end of hostilities in Iraq meant a large transfer of items to civilian authorities.

It started with the ARWEN

In the 1990’s, agencies were generally equipped with 37mm smooth bore launchers. Smooth bore launchers and compatible munitions have severe limitations because of accuracy, range and safety as we describe in the previous blog post here.

During this time in the United Kingdom, a launcher was developed as a result of over-penetration of the smaller size of rubber bullets in the .303/9mm and .308 caliber range. This launcher was called the ARWEN, an acronym that means Anti-Riot Weapon Enfield. These were used to fire a peculiar type of 37mm rifled munitions. ARWEN launchers are primarily used by British Forces and surrogates. A few of these systems made it to the United States.

Introduction of 40mm

With the introduction of 40mm launchers to the law enforcement market, it marked a change in capabilities for local law enforcement authorities. Improved accuracy and capability over the 37mm smooth bore was now a reality. Law enforcement agencies were becoming equipped with 40mm launchers, although 40mm less-lethal ammunition was not as prevalent as it is today. This demand prompted ammunition manufacturers CTS and DefTech to start making less-lethal rounds for 40mm launchers to equip police forces. Today a large selection of 40mm less-lethal munitions is available.

Launcher demand

Many of the launchers transferred from the military were worn and older, thus not as capable in supporting the next generation of less lethal rounds on the market. These surplus launchers were single shot variants. Other companies entered the market place to meet this new demand.

The following 40mm launchers were developed:

• Penn Arms licenses a 40mm 12-round drum barrel “Street Sweeper” platform from South Africa
• DefTech and Safariland develop single shot 40mm launchers based on Smith and Weston revolver action with an optional barrel.
• Sage develops its own 40mm single shot launcher

As 40mm launchers proliferated US policy, agencies created the opportunity for innovation in less-lethal ammunition which lead to the creation of SDI.

The BIP 40mm Standard

SDI’s 40mm BIP is compatible with any commercially available, reasonably good quality 40mm launcher.

Learn more about our 40mm BIP rounds.

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