Overview
KWESST Micro Systems (TSXV:KWE) is a technology company which develops and commercializes breakthrough next generation tactical systems that meet the requirements of security forces and personal defense for overmatch capability against adversaries. The key market segments and solutions addressed by KWESST technologies are:
- Breakthrough technology in non-lethal systems with broad application, including law enforcement and personal defence.
- Modernized digitization of tactical forces for shared situational awareness and targeting.
- Counter measures against threats such as drones, lasers and electronic detection.
Non-Lethal Product
Low Energy Cartridge System (LEC)
The market for non-lethal products is a recurring multi-billion-dollar opportunity. Customers continue to seek better solutions as many legacy systems can be lethal, and frequently are unreliable. Thousands of fatalities have been recorded from existing cartridge-bases systems, including conducted energy devices such as Taser. Other legacy products that are “less” lethal typically fire from air guns, which are inherently unreliable as they are affected by ambient temperature and involve high maintenance including as a result of air seals and “O” rings drying out and bursting, causing catastrophic failures. Air-based systems also entail a long logistics tail of compressors, air tanks and spare parts.
The LEC systems solves these problems with the proven reliability of a cartridge-based system in a low-cost firing platform that fires only LEC cartridges. The firing platforms are offered in various patterns that replicate the look of a real firearm, or avoid the appearance of a firearm altogether, at the user’s choice. The proprietary LEC cartridge automatically stabilizes the projectile for accuracy and distance, with an energetic actuator that controls velocity and muzzle energy well below lethal levels, and with no need for gunpowder or conventional propellant. The system’s soft frangible projectiles come with various payloads, including colored marking agent, inert powder or a safe but powerful irritant powder that temporarily incapacitates subjects.
The table below shows why LEC is the best choice among current non-lethal weapons.
LEC is an inexpensive dedicated firing platform that fires only LEC cartridges. These are offered in various patterns that replicate the look of a real firearm, or avoid the appearance of a firearm altogether, at the user’s choice.
LEC’s soft frangible projectiles come with various payloads, including colored marking agents, inert powder, or a safe but powerful irritant powder that temporarily incapacitates subjects.
LEC has two provisional patents and is the world’s first cartridge-based non-lethal firing system. It is a breakthrough over existing air-based systems with a projectile of high fps velocity, which is considered lethal. LEC is made with a non-lethal low energy cartridge case that generates spin to a projectile reducing velocities and muzzle energy below the lethal threshold of 400 feet per second (fps). This is done with no need for gunpowder or conventional propellant.
Meanwhile, tasers and maces are for close encounters increasing the probability of disarmament by assailants. Tasers, carried by some 400,000 American patrol officers, are also given an effectiveness rating of only 57.1 percent by the Los Angeles Police Department.
KWESST’s non-lethal Low Energy Cartridge (LEC) product line will culminate with an official commercial launch at the 2022 SHOT Show® in Las Vegas, January 18 – 21.
The LEC system is the world’s first cartridge-based non-lethal firing system with universal application across four market segments that currently use a variety of dated “non-lethal” or “less-lethal” solutions. These segments are (i) public order and security (riots and control of dangerous subjects), (ii) military and law enforcement training (realistic force-on-force training), (iii) personal defence (home, car, boat, RV, camping, hiking), and (iv) high-action gaming.
KWESST is prioritizing the global self-defence and the public order and security markets, where there exist ready channel partners, including large e-marketplaces for tactical products and sophisticated social media campaigns, hence avoiding the expense and time to build out an internal sales force. These markets represent near-term opportunities with short selling cycles.
Modernized digitization of tactical forces for shared situational awareness and targeting
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