Fact Friday – Use of Kinetic-Energy Weapons Our deputies train with a variety of kinetic-energy (KE) weapons, which are tools designed to control dangerous situations while minimizing use of force. Our deputies recently had an opportunity to train with 40mm tactical launchers using 40mm soft sponge rounds, which are less-lethal munitions that deliver controlled impact from a safe distance, allowing our deputies to protect the public and themselves while preserving life. Watch the following video

This electromagnetic railgun uses pure electricity to hurl a solid projectile to nearly Mach 7 in just a split second. At those speeds, it doesn’t need traditional propellants—the projectile’s sheer kinetic energy becomes the weapon. Railguns fire by sending massive electric current through two metal rails. When a conductive round closes the circuit, a powerful magnetic field blasts it forward with millions of watts of instant energy. The result is a silent, ultra-fast shot without any gunpowder