Russians working up non-lethal water jet guns

Yeah, using Avurt's IM-5 launcher and Taser International's C2 stun gun sure seem like more enjoyable ways to injure-but-not-kill the baddies, but there's a certain novelty attached to the vision of an uber-powerful Super Soaker. Apparently, a team of Russians are toying with the idea of crafting a non-lethal weapon based around "electro-hydrodynamical effects." In layman's terms, what we're looking at is a device that relies on water jets to bring down enemies whilst minimizing long-term damage, and while we're not up to speed on all the mathematics that prove this valid, it sounds pretty plausible. And hey, it's not like ammunition wouldn't be readily available in many parts of the world. [Warning: PDF read link]

[Via Wired, image courtesy of iSoaker]

[alex @ Aug 23rd 2007 3:17AM]

I'm sure you can kill someone with a big enough water balloon dropped from 30,000 feet.

[Andrew Fong @ Aug 23rd 2007 3:21AM]

Eerily similar to firehosing protesters

[ILOVEBLENDTEC @ Aug 23rd 2007 3:26AM]

makes me want to patent my pillow launcher idea... imagine the fights!!!

This is breaking news: today in russia president vladimir putin of shot president bush with a super soaker putin edition, bush responded with Pillows of mass destruction and claimed that all of this was necessary to end the violent NERF war in iraq... GLOBAL CONQUEST AT LAST!!!

[michas_pi @ Aug 23rd 2007 3:36AM]

But in a sudden plot twist, Iran enters the fray with Sock'Em Boppers.

[STIEN @ Aug 23rd 2007 10:30AM]

Then Britain brings in the laser-tag...

[Rynth @ Aug 23rd 2007 4:46AM]

In soviet Russia, water gun shoots you..

Oh wait...

[lettcco @ Aug 23rd 2007 6:03AM]

"...minimizing long-term damage..."

since when losing a limb or 2 is not long term damage?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_jet_cutter

[monkeyh425 @ Aug 23rd 2007 1:15PM]

if your read the article posted, that "water gun" uses an abrasive powder in order to erode the metal. im sure this one is not going to have that. the water COULD be strong enough to be lethal, but doesnt mean theyre going to make it that way, im sure they will turn downt he pressure enough to make it non-lethal.

[quanta67 @ Aug 23rd 2007 9:47AM]

You can cut people in half with a water jet at close enough range. You can do it with meat, so why not people?

Doesn't sound very 'non leathal' to me.

[Nick @ Aug 23rd 2007 12:01PM]

Hey, is that Tommy Chong with a water gun in the photo?