Sticky foam

Sticky foam is a form of non-lethal weaponry consisting of various extremely tacky and/or tenacious materials carried in compressed form with a propellant and used to block, entangle, and impair individuals. A National Institute of Justice-funded project at Sandia National Laboratory developed a "gun" which could fire multiple shots of sticky foam. After testing the product for corrections applications, Sandial provided the U.S. Marine Corps Operation United Shield with sticky foam guns and supporting equipment to assist in the withdrawal of UN Peacekeepers from Somalia. Problems with this technology include: the serious risk of smothering the subject; skin clean-up (the foam may not be toxic, but solvents are often harsh); "gun" clogging; targeting and firing; and gun cleaning. The Marine Corps reportedly successfully used the sticky foam guns as part of the operation in Somalia.

Scott, Steven H.; "Sticky foam as a less-than-lethal technology," p. 96-103 of Proc. SPIE v. 2934, Security Systems and Nonlethal Technologies for Law Enforcement, John B. Alexander, Debra D. Spencer, Steve Schmit & Basil J. Steele, Eds.

External links

• Sticky Foam Gets Serious
• Bibliography (updated 6 Jun 2006) of Aqueous Foam Technology Uses in Military, Defense and Law Enforcement

also the gun may stick together with the sticky foam or may be attracted to other sticky foam guns