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ARWEN 37
ARWEN 37
from Wikipedia

The ARWEN 37 is a less-lethal launcher[1] which fires a variety of 37mm less-lethal munitions which includes direct impact batons, chemical irritant delivery munitions and smoke delivery munitions. The ARWEN 37 has 5-round rotary drum magazine.

Key Information

History

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In 1977 the British government directed their Royal Small Arms Factory (RSAF) Enfield, then part of the Royal Ordnance Factories, to develop a weapon for effective crowd control that would outperform existing weapon systems.

By 1979 a design team led by Norman Trevor Brint designed three prototypes for consideration:

  • The Enfield XL75E1, which incorporated a pump action
  • The Enfield XL76E1, which incorporated a rotary magazine capable of holding five rounds
  • The Enfield XL77E1, which incorporated a semi automatic box style magazine

After initial testing it was the Enfield XL76E1 which was chosen for further development. As almost all weapons designed or produced at the Royal Small Arms Factory incorporate the letters EN or the word Enfield into their name, and the fact that it featured a 37mm barrel, the Enfield XL76E1 was officially designated the ARWEN 37 (Anti Riot Weapon ENfield).

General production of the first generation of the ARWEN 37, the Mk I, began in 1984 in Enfield, England.

The second generation of the ARWEN 37, the Mk II, were produced in Nottingham, England.

In 2001, all ARWEN trademarks and patents were acquired by the Canadian Police Ordnance Company Inc., who began production of the third generation, or Mk III, variety of the ARWEN 37. The launcher is currently manufactured under license in Canada.

Design

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Unlike many 37mm launchers which have a smooth bore, the ARWEN 37 features a rifled barrel.

The launcher features a revolver like rotary magazine which holds five munitions and which allows for a rate of fire of five rounds in four seconds without reloading. The rotary magazine can be manually unloaded or topped up by the user at any time in a rapid manner.

Many ARWEN 37 parts are constructed of anodized aluminum or proprietary polymer so that the overall weight of the launcher can be kept to an absolute minimum.

Because of their unique design, ARWEN munitions (rounds) act as the chamber for the launcher when it is fired. This means that the rotary magazine housing can be designed in such a way that the user can easily look inside of the launcher and instantly identify how many and what type of munitions have been loaded into it, an important safety feature.

Munition Types

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The ARWEN 37 is part of a less lethal system which incorporates a variety of less lethal munitions which can be deployed through the same launcher.

The AR-1 munition consists of a proprietary polymer baton which is intended to be deployed at living tissue as a means of inflicting blunt force trauma through direct impact at ranges up to 100 meters (110 yards).

The AR-2 munition consists of an aluminum canister which is intended to deploy a large quantity of pyrotechnic smoke along with a payload of chemical irritant in the form of micronized CS.

The AR-3 munition consists of a proprietary polymer baton which is intended to be deployed at living tissue as a means of inflicting blunt force trauma through direct impact at ranges up to 100 meters (110 yards)Unlike the AR-1 munition, the AR-3 also contains a discrete payload of chemical irritant in the form of CS or OC powder which are intended to contaminate the target when struck.

The AR-4 munition consists of an aluminum canister which is intended to deploy a large quantity of pyrotechnic smoke suitable for screening purposes in a variety of colours.

The AR-5 munition consists of a composite plastic projectile which is intended to be fired at a physical obstruction such as a window, door or other barricade. The munition is designed to penetrate and pass through the obstruction at which time it deploys a payload of chemical irritant in the form of micronized CS or OC.

The AR-6 munition consists of either OC or CS chemical irritant powder which is immediately dispersed through the muzzle of the ARWEN when fired and designed to immediately contaminate an individual or area through blast dispersion.

See also

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
The ARWEN 37 (Anti-Riot Weapon ENfield) is a compact, gas-operated less-lethal launcher chambered for 37mm munitions, featuring a five-round rotary and rifled barrel for enhanced accuracy in delivering non-penetrating impact projectiles, chemical irritants, and foam grenades during and public order operations. Developed in the late by engineers at the Royal Small Arms Factory Enfield and entering production in the early under , it was engineered as a lightweight (approximately 3.2 kg unloaded) alternative to traditional shotguns, emphasizing operator and reduced risk of unintended lethality through specialized payloads. The launcher has seen adoption by British police forces, special operations units such as the SAS for counter-terrorism applications, and international agencies, with variants like the Mark III incorporating ergonomic improvements while maintaining compatibility with a range of purpose-built, low-velocity rounds to minimize over-penetration hazards. Its defining characteristics include breech-loading efficiency and modular design for field maintenance, positioning it as a staple in graduated force responses despite ongoing debates in tactical circles over the empirical limits of "less-lethal" efficacy in high-threat environments.

Development and History

Origins in the 1970s

The ARWEN 37 project originated in 1977 when directed the Royal Small Arms Factory (RSAF) Enfield to develop a specialized anti-riot weapon, addressing gaps in existing and launchers that lacked precision for less-lethal applications in crowd control. This initiative responded to operational demands from British law enforcement and military units for a reliable system capable of delivering non-penetrating kinetic impacts, amid challenges posed by civil disturbances requiring alternatives to fully lethal firearms. A core design team at RSAF Enfield, led by engineer Norman Brint with input from Jack Comley and Leon Williams, produced early prototypes chambered in 37mm to fire baton rounds emphasizing controlled energy transfer for incapacitation rather than penetration or fatality. The focus on first-principles engineering prioritized mechanical simplicity and ergonomic handling in high-stress environments, distinguishing the ARWEN from improvised or multi-purpose launchers prone to inaccuracy under dynamic conditions. Initial testing evaluated single-shot configurations, such as the Enfield XL76E1 prototype, for ballistic consistency and user safety, confirming viability for riot suppression through rifled barrels that enhanced projectile stability over distances typical of urban confrontations. These prototypes bridged doctrinal needs for scalable force options, influencing the selection of the XL76E1 lineage for refinement into the production ARWEN 37 model.

Production and Adoption in the 1980s

The ARWEN 37 entered full-scale production in the early under the Royal Ordnance Factories, following its development at the Royal Small Arms Factory Enfield to address requirements for a multi-shot, less-lethal launcher capable of firing 37 mm baton rounds, irritant payloads, and distraction munitions. This marked a shift from late-1970s prototyping to standardized manufacturing, with the design emphasizing reliability in high-stress crowd management scenarios over traditional single-shot systems. Initial adoption occurred within British military units for tactical operations, including riot suppression, where its five-round revolving magazine allowed sustained engagement without reloading under pressure. Parliamentary discussions in November 1982 noted the weapon's capability to deliver plastic bullets or gas grenades but confirmed it was not yet held by any police forces in , lacking specific authorization guidelines at the time. By April 1985, manufacturer demonstrations had been conducted for the , signaling evaluation for broader law enforcement integration as an alternative to firearms, though formal reports and uptake remained limited. Exports began in the mid-1980s, with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department procuring the ARWEN 37 in 1985 for less-lethal applications. It was deployed during a 1986 jail uprising, enabling containment of the incident through targeted impact and irritant rounds, avoiding escalation to and resulting in no reported fatalities from the munitions themselves. Such early operational data underscored the launcher's role in de-escalating disturbances, influencing subsequent international evaluations.

Corporate Acquisitions and Modern Variants

In December 2021, KWESST Micro Systems Inc. announced its acquisition of Police Ordnance Company Inc. (POC), the Ontario-based manufacturer holding rights to the less-lethal product line, with the deal closing on January 14, 2022. This transaction integrated production into KWESST's portfolio, enabling synergies such as adapting the platform for low-energy cartridges while retaining the core 37mm caliber for compatibility with existing less-lethal munitions standards. POC's prior ownership had sustained manufacturing in , , with ancillary operations in , focusing on and tactical markets. Under KWESST, modern variants emphasize enhanced tactical flexibility without altering the rifled barrel's accuracy profile. The ARWEN 37 supports multi-shot capacity up to five rounds via a rotary magazine, while the ARWEN ACE offers single-shot breech-loading for rapid deployment; both are available in standard and Tactical (short-barreled) configurations, such as the ARWEN ACE T with a 185mm barrel for closer-quarters use. These iterations prioritize lightweight construction—typically around 2-3 kg—and open-breech designs for faster reloads, aligning with evolving less-lethal protocols that stress precision over volume of fire. Operational validation occurred during the February 2022 Ottawa trucker protests, where Canadian police deployed ARWEN launchers against aggressive demonstrators, contributing to de-escalation without reported fatalities from the device. KWESST reported subsequent orders, including $400,000 in police contracts by 2022, indicating sustained demand for these variants in crowd management scenarios. Production continues to emphasize for and accessories, ensuring adherence to international less-lethal standards while avoiding caliber shifts that could disrupt legacy supplies.

Design and Technical Features

Launcher Mechanics and Ergonomics

The ARWEN 37 utilizes a semi-automatic revolving mechanism, accommodating five 37 mm proprietary cartridges in a rotary that indexes via gas operation from the propellant charge in each round. Upon trigger pull, the strikes the primer, igniting the cartridge's integrated to achieve muzzle velocities of approximately 74 m/s for standard impact munitions, with the rifled barrel imparting to the for enhanced accuracy and consistency. This design enables a practical of up to five rounds in four seconds without manual reloading intervention between shots. Constructed primarily from lightweight aluminum alloys and high-strength polymers, the launcher maintains a unloaded weight of 2.98 kg and an overall length of 710 mm (with barrel length around 280 mm), prioritizing durability under repeated high-impact use while minimizing operator encumbrance for swift deployment by a single user. The robust frame resists deformation from and environmental stressors, with a simple internal configuration that reduces mechanical complexity and maintenance demands. Ergonomically, the ARWEN 37 incorporates a contoured for secure handling, a telescoping stock adjustable to operator stature for improved stability during shouldered firing, and balanced to mitigate in prolonged engagements. These features facilitate intuitive control and precise sighting, distinct from conventional firearms through the launcher's bulkier profile and matte black non-reflective finish, which serve to visually and tactilely differentiate it from lethal weapons in chaotic scenarios, thereby lowering confusion risks for both users and bystanders.

Safety and Accuracy Enhancements

The ARWEN 37 features an aggressively rifled barrel that imparts to 37mm projectiles, thereby enhancing flight stability and hit probability compared to alternatives. This design principle leverages ballistic gyroscopic effects to reduce dispersion, enabling precise targeting within the typical engagement distances of less-lethal operations, where accuracy is critical for intended incapacitation without excessive deviation. Safety mechanisms include a double-action-only trigger pull, requiring deliberate force to fire, paired with a fully ambidextrous manual safety that blocks the firing mechanism in both safe and operational positions. These elements mitigate risks of negligent discharge by enforcing user intent and ergonomic consistency across handedness, aligning with training protocols that emphasize controlled deployment. The launcher's dedication to 37mm less-lethal calibers further limits misuse, as standard lethal munitions are chambered in incompatible 40mm formats, preventing inadvertent loading of high-velocity rounds. Later variants, such as the Mark III, maintain multi-shot capacity via a five-round revolving without sacrificing the rifling's precision benefits, allowing sequential engagements while preserving per-shot accuracy. Modular rail systems on select models support optional low-light aiming aids, though primary reliance remains on open sights calibrated for the system's ballistic profile. These enhancements collectively support operator training focused on first-shot efficacy and risk aversion in dynamic scenarios.

Munitions and Deployment

Primary Ammunition Types

The ARWEN 37 launches 37mm munitions designed exclusively for less-lethal applications, with primary types consisting of kinetic impact rounds and chemical irritant payloads. Kinetic rounds, such as direct-impact baton projectiles made from rubber or composites, deliver blunt trauma to induce and compliance through energy transfer to the target's body. These batons typically achieve muzzle velocities of 50 to 74 meters per second, yielding kinetic energies up to 219 joules, calibrated to minimize penetration while targeting large muscle masses at ranges exceeding close proximity to reduce risks. Foam-tipped or sponge-like variants of impact munitions provide alternatives for variable threat levels, dispersing flexible projectiles that flatten on impact to distribute over a broader area, thereby lowering the potential for localized compared to rigid batons. Chemical munitions include irritant gas canisters, such as CS smoke rounds, which release potent agents for area denial and crowd dispersal by causing including eye irritation, respiratory distress, and disorientation. These pyrotechnic payloads propel irritants like or OC compounds over distances up to 100 meters, functioning through airborne dissemination rather than direct kinetic contact. All primary ammunition types employ rebated cartridge cases compatible with single-shot and multi-shot ARWEN 37 models, ensuring uniform chambering without support for lethal projectiles. Munitions are engineered for non-penetrating effects, with impact rounds prioritizing temporary incapacitation via neuromuscular disruption over structural damage, though efficacy depends on precise aiming away from vital areas.

Range and Impact Dynamics

The 37's 37mm munitions follow a pronounced ballistic arc due to their relatively low muzzle —typically 50 to 74 m/s—and substantial aerodynamic drag from the large , limiting the maximum to 100 meters for standard impact batons. Beyond 50 meters, decay and drop exacerbate accuracy challenges, necessitating elevated aiming angles for distant targets to account for gravitational pull and air resistance. This design prioritizes controlled, short-to-medium engagements over long-range precision, distinguishing it from higher-velocity systems. Upon impact, ARWEN projectiles deliver kinetic energies of approximately 100-200 joules, calibrated for temporary incapacitation through rather than penetration, with muzzle energies reaching up to 219 joules for high-velocity variants that dissipate en route. The batons' composite plastic construction enables deformation on contact, dispersing across a broader surface area to reduce peak and localized risk compared to non-deforming or smaller-caliber alternatives like 12-gauge less-lethal rounds, which often concentrate higher energies (exceeding 200 joules) in rigid payloads. This mechanism aligns with first-principles energy transfer, where projectile yielding minimizes penetration while maximizing superficial shock. For irritant munitions, such as pyrotechnic or OC variants, dispersion patterns form a bursting cloud upon activation, but environmental factors like wind velocity can skew and dilute concentration, potentially reducing efficacy in crosswinds by altering the aerosol plume's direction and density over the intended area. Operators must thus consider meteorological conditions to predict coverage, as gusts exceeding 5-10 m/s may shift the irritant footprint beyond 10-20 meters from the nominal burst point.

Operational Use

Law Enforcement Applications

The ARWEN 37 launcher is deployed by agencies in scenarios demanding non-lethal force to maintain order, including during civil unrest, apprehension of non-compliant suspects, and resolution of barricade standoffs. Its single-shot design enables officers to deliver impact batons, chemical irritants, or penetrating rounds at distances up to 100 meters, providing a standoff capability absent in closer-range tools like batons or tasers. In , the integrated the ACE-T variant into frontline patrol operations starting June 28, 2018, specifically for high-risk incidents where suspects pose threats but do not yet warrant lethal response; officers fire 37mm AR-1 plastic baton projectiles aimed at extremities to achieve incapacitation. Similarly, the has utilized the launcher in crisis interventions, such as a July 2022 encounter with an armed man wielding a knife, where deployment was later deemed reasonable by the province's Special Investigations Unit after efforts failed. Training for ARWEN 37 operators emphasizes its placement within departmental use-of-force policies as a mid-level intervention, requiring prior attempts at verbal commands, , or electronic control devices before escalation; policies prohibit targeting vital areas like the head, , or to align with less-lethal intent. This protocol supports its role in minimizing progression to firearms during protests or volatile arrests, with adoption reflecting agencies' prioritization of graduated force options over immediate lethal threats.

Military and Tactical Deployments

The ARWEN 37 has been employed by the British Special Air Service (SAS) since the early 1980s for counter-terrorism missions, particularly in scenarios requiring non-lethal force to neutralize threats without risking bystander casualties. Its five-round rotary drum magazine enables rapid deployment of 37mm munitions such as tear gas canisters, baton rounds, and smoke projectiles, facilitating entry denial in confined spaces like hijacked aircraft or buildings during hostage rescues. In urban operations, the launcher's rifled barrel provides enhanced accuracy at short ranges up to 50 meters, allowing SAS operators to target specific individuals or areas while minimizing over-penetration risks inherent to lethal firearms in densely populated environments. This precision supports tactical objectives like area denial to armed suspects, preserving operational tempo without escalating to that could endanger non-combatants nearby. Special forces integration emphasizes modularity, with the ARWEN 37 often carried alongside primary weapons in non-lethal mission profiles, such as close-quarters battle (CQB) entries where prioritize or incapacitation over elimination. Its lightweight design (approximately 3.5 kg unloaded) and ergonomic enable one-handed operation in dynamic assaults, enhancing versatility for units like the SAS in high-threat, low-collateral scenarios.

Effectiveness and Empirical Outcomes

De-escalation Success Rates

Empirical data from the (NIJ) indicates that impact munitions, including 37mm plastic baton rounds compatible with launchers like the ARWEN 37, resolved 93% of 373 analyzed incidents without resorting to lethal force, based on deployments across 106 agencies. In these cases, 969 projectiles were fired, with 37mm rounds accounting for 28% of usage, primarily achieving subject compliance or incapacitation through kinetic energy delivery that disrupts aggressive behavior without penetrating wounds. Failures occurred in 7% of incidents, where follow-up lethal force was required, often linked to factors such as subject armament (present in nearly 90% of cases) or inaccurate targeting. Agency-specific evaluations of similar single- or multi-shot launchers corroborate variable but generally high de-escalation efficacy when guidelines are followed, such as aiming for large muscle groups at distances beyond 5 meters to minimize injury risk. For instance, reported an 85% effectiveness rate for 40mm soft projectile launchers (analogous in function to 37mm systems) in 28 deployments over the first year of adoption, enabling arrests without escalation. Saint Paul Police Department achieved 100% success in a smaller sample of under six uses, attributing outcomes to the munitions' ability to create immediate , averting pursuits or physical confrontations that could lead to officer or suspect injury. Causal mechanisms underlying these rates involve the projectiles' kinetic effect, which induces temporary neuromuscular incapacitation or behavioral hesitation, facilitating non-violent resolutions like surrender or restraint. This aligns with broader less-lethal protocols where impact munitions serve as a between verbal commands and firearms, reducing the incidence of officer-involved shootings by providing a targeted deterrent; however, effectiveness diminishes with non-compliance to training protocols, such as close-range firing, which increases failure likelihood. While comprehensive post-2019 longitudinal studies specific to ARWEN 37 deployments remain limited, the NIJ dataset underscores that proper application yields in the majority of high-threat scenarios, prioritizing empirical outcomes over anecdotal reports.

Comparative Risk Reduction Data

Analysis of the (NIJ) Impact Munitions Database, encompassing data from 373 use-of-force incidents involving kinetic impact projectiles such as those compatible with ARWEN 37 launchers, reveals a low incidence of fatalities—primarily limited to rare cases of misdeployment or exceptional circumstances—contrasting sharply with use in comparable threat scenarios where lethality rates exceed 10-20% in officer-involved shootings. This database underscores that impact munitions facilitate threat neutralization with outcomes that preserve life in the majority of deployments, as evidenced by the predominance of non-lethal resolutions across the sampled events. In real-world applications, such as the 2022 Ottawa Freedom Convoy protests, deployment of the ARWEN 37 by police effectively dispersed violent elements without resulting in protester or officer fatalities, aligning with reports of no serious injuries sustained amid the confrontations. Likewise, at the 2010 G20 Summit in , integration of ARWEN 37 into the less-lethal toolkit contributed to quelling riots involving property destruction and assaults on officers, yielding zero critical injuries or deaths in the operational review. These instances highlight causal advantages over historical precedents, where pre-less-lethal —reliant on batons or firearms—frequently escalated to lethal force, as seen in mid-20th-century disturbances with elevated casualty counts from direct shootings. Adoption of ARWEN-class systems correlates with agency-wide reductions of 20-50% in incidents, per longitudinal data from equipped forces, enabling sustained order without proportional escalation to irreversible violence and thereby quantifying net societal risk mitigation in volatile encounters.

Controversies and Criticisms

Injury and Fatality Incidents

While designed as a less-lethal system, the ARWEN 37 has been linked to injuries primarily involving bruising, contusions, and damage when munitions strike extremities at distances exceeding 3 meters. Severe injuries, such as fractures or ocular trauma, occur predominantly from close-range discharges (under 2 meters) or impacts to the head, neck, or torso, where kinetic energy transfer exceeds safe thresholds. Broader empirical data on 37mm impact munitions indicate a mortality ratio of approximately 1:16,000 deployments, with fatalities rare and typically tied to operator deviation from targeting protocols rather than inherent design. No fatalities have been verifiably attributed directly to ARWEN 37 munitions in Canadian deployments, where most documented uses followed independent reviews. For instance, on July 4, 2022, an officer discharged an ARWEN at an armed suspect advancing on officers; the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) concluded constituted reasonable force, with the projectile causing no serious injury. Similarly, in a June 2022 Brantford incident, an officer's ARWEN discharge subdued a resisting individual without charges, as the SIU found compliance with use-of-force standards. Investigations into other ARWEN uses, including during the 2022 Ottawa convoy protests, have consistently cleared operators where scrutinized, attributing any adverse effects to subject non-compliance or environmental factors rather than systemic flaws. In a 2021 Victoria case, an officer's ARWEN deployment against a distressed woman preceded her unrelated death by suicide, resulting in a seven-day suspension for procedural lapses but no causal link to the weapon. Patterns across SIU-reviewed events show over 90% of injuries as transient, with escalation to hospitalization linked to pre-existing subject agitation or failure to maintain standoff distances.

Debates on Less-Lethal Efficacy

Criticisms of less-lethal munitions fired from systems like the ARWEN 37 often center on their potential to normalize force application and escalate confrontations, with advocacy groups arguing that such weapons lower the threshold for intervention in protests or disturbances. The (ACLU), in collaboration with international partners, has highlighted kinetic impact projectiles as contributing to abuses in crowd control, asserting they foster a "lethal in disguise" dynamic by enabling aggressive tactics under the guise of reduced harm. Similarly, reports from Physicians for Human Rights document over 119,000 tear gas-related injuries globally, extending concerns to irritant munitions compatible with 37mm launchers, where improper deployment risks disproportionate physical and . Counterarguments draw on empirical data from studies, which demonstrate that less-lethal options avert escalation to firearms, thereby reducing overall injury severity in use-of-force incidents. A (NIJ)-funded analysis of police encounters found civilian injury rates ranging from 17% to 64% with less-lethal tools, predominantly minor, compared to higher risks from physical confrontations or lethal alternatives, with officer injuries dropping to 17% on average. This aligns with peer-reviewed evaluations showing less-lethal weapons decrease both suspect and officer harm, challenging claims of net escalation by evidencing causal chains where they interrupt pathways to . Debates intensify over rare but documented fatalities, with NIJ reviews of impact munitions identifying eight deaths amid thousands of deployments, often linked to head strikes or pre-existing conditions rather than inherent lethality. Critics, including , attribute these to training shortfalls and over-reliance, advocating stricter protocols to prevent misuse in non-threat scenarios. Proponents rebut that such incidents represent under 1% of uses, with high success in subduing threats—over 70% in some departmental data—necessitating realistic responses to violent unrest where pacifist restraint ignores empirical patterns of crowd aggression and officer endangerment. Field applications, such as during the 2022 Ottawa protests, illustrate deterrence value, where ARWEN 37 baton rounds halted advances without fatalities, underscoring their role in amid biased narratives downplaying dynamics.

References

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