Physical Optics Corporation — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: To address the Navy"s need for a nonlethal malodorant weapon that can be dispersed fr

Description

To address the Navy"s need for a nonlethal malodorant weapon that can be dispersed from a 40-mm delivered munition, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Tactical Olfactory Grenade (TOG). This proposed TOG device is based on a DoD-developed malodorant that only stimulates the olfactory nerve system. The innovation will enable the TOG to spray a malodorant similar to tear gas, but within Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) limits, to disperse crowds and clear rooms. POC"s TOG will be available as a hand-thrown grenade or as 40-mm munition for use in the M203 grenade launcher. As a result, the TOG offers a malodorant munition that does not leak payload, despite transportation shock and military handling. Tests will establish what dosage will trigger olfactory nerve stimulation, without stimulating the trigeminal nervous system, which directly addresses acquisitions program requirements. In Phase I, POC will demonstrate feasibility of the TOG by determining the threshold at which trigeminal nerve activation occurs and testing the malodorant for optimal dosage to repel individuals from a 5 x 5 x 3 m room. In Phase II, POC plans to develop a mature TOG prototype, ready for Navy testing against highly and lightly motivated personnel.