Lethal weapon - what is it? The indicated means include combat units designed to suppress and destroy enemy forces. Let’s understand what lethal weapons are, and consider non-lethal action patterns.
Types of lethal weapons
Considering a lethal weapon - what it is - it is worth highlighting several categories of weapons. First of all, cold steel should be noted. This includes weapons that affect targets in a contact manner in close combat. As for remote lethal weapons, firearms and weapons of mass destruction should be noted here.
What about weapons of mass influence
This category includes:
- Nuclear lethal weapon. What is it? First of all, the means, the action of which is based on the release of an impressive charge of nuclear energy, which is distributed in the form of chain reactions. All this causes serious damage and leads to radiation contamination of the area.
- Chemical weapons of lethal action - based on the destruction of enemy manpower by exposure to toxic substances.
- Incendiary weapons - involves the use of flammable bases: pyrogel, napalm, white phosphorus.
- Bacteriological lethal weapon - what is it? It is aimed at the massive defeat of crops, animals and people by the spread of pathogenic spores and organisms, all kinds of viruses, toxic substances.
Ammunition
To suppress the advancing enemy force, grenades are used primarily. According to the designation, such ammunition is anti-tank and anti-personnel. The latter, in turn, are divided into high-explosive and incendiary.
Another common form of lethal ammunition is mines. Several categories are distinguished here:
- ground - activated by contact with enemy manpower;
- anti-tank - are used to destroy or disable armored vehicles;
- marine - designed to cause damage to underwater and surface swimming equipment.
If we talk about missiles, the latter are used to destroy ground, air and water targets. In particular, torpedoes are used to destroy port facilities, hydraulic structures and marine vessels.
Lethal and non-lethal weapons
Non-lethal means are also known as humane weapons. It is used to suppress enemy forces, inflict temporary harm to infantry without causing substantial harm to health, and dispersal of mass demonstrations.
Here, an extensive list of electrical, chemical, light and mechanical means is allocated, which are in service with special services, representatives of law enforcement agencies. Used to provide a restraining, psychological, and only then traumatic effect on the target.
Types of non-lethal weapons
Currently, the following types of non-lethal weapons are distinguished:
- Traumatic - designed specifically for hitting targets with traumatic mechanical means. Here are presented primarily civilian and police pistols capable of firing plastic, rubber or metal cartridges.
- Gas - based on the defeat of the mucous membranes of the enemy with chemicals. The main effects of the use of weapons of this type: pain in the eyes, salivation, lacrimation, choking, burning of the skin.
- Sound - the principle of targeting is based on the propagation of sound waves of a certain frequency. A prominent representative is the police sound gun, which allows you to transmit warning messages hundreds of meters, affecting the behavior of the crowd. When used at close range, individual samples of sonic weapons are capable of causing damage to hearing organs, which is reflected in a loss of orientation in space.
- Water - has a physical effect on the target due to the release of directed fluid flows under impressive pressure. Usually does not cause injuries, however, it allows the opponent to cause discomfort in the form of hypothermia.
- Light - is performed on the basis of luminescent elements or pyrotechnic means of combustion. In most cases, it has a psychological effect on the opponent.
- Laser - based on the emission of light pulses that disorient or temporarily blind the enemy.
- Microwave weapons - presented in the form of powerful heat emitters. Allows the distribution of directed energy over long distances. It has a shock effect on enemy forces.
Non-lethal weapons with fatal outcomes
The use of non-lethal weapons is aimed at minimizing casualties in the ranks of the enemy. However, it is extremely difficult to completely eliminate such cases. The most common causes that cause irreparable damage to health or death: ricochets, inept handling of combat units, hit traumatic cartridges in vulnerable parts of the body.
The use of rubber, plastic, and even more so metal ammunition can lead to fractures, concussion, concussion, loss of individual organs, and cause superficial and deep tissue damage. Therefore, people who have been exposed to non-lethal weapons are required to immediately seek medical help, even in the absence of noticeable damage.