Sponge grenade
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A sponge grenade is a crowd control weapon, intended to be non-lethal, which is fired from a 40 mm grenade launcher to cause confusion, or otherwise temporarily disable its target. Because it is a single blunt force object, it is best used when aimed at a particular individual. If used improperly - such as at distances closer than 10 meters - injuries to the targeted individual could prove fatal. Used properly, the weapon is intended to cause no permanent damage, but may, in some cases, cause broken bones.
However,when fired at point blank range, there have been cases of sponge grenades causing death.
The "grenade" (which does not explode), weighs about 28 grams (1 ounce). It is bullet shaped, with the rounded front made of foam rubber, and the back hard plastic.
It is non-lethal munition round for a 40mm M203 or M79 Grenade launcher that provides temporary incapacitation through blunt trauma. The projectile consists of a foam rubber nose and a high-density, plastic projectile body. Minimum engagement range is 10 - 15 meters, and maximum effective range is 50 meters. Muzzle velocity at 50 meters is 200 feet per second.
Versions of these projectiles fired at a lower muzzle velocity are sometimes used in airsoft games, fired from replicas of the aforementioned launchers.
