M234 launcher

Launcher, Projectile, 64 mm, Riot Control, M234
Type	Less-lethal Weapon
Place of origin	United States
Service history
In service	1978–1995
Used by	United States
Production history
Designed	1973–1978
Produced	1978–1987
Specifications
Cartridge	1.25 ounce, 64 mm Ring Airfoil Projectile
Rate of fire	4 to 6 projectiles per minute
Muzzle velocity	200 ft/s (61 m/s)
Effective firing range	40 meters individuals, 60 meters small groups
Maximum firing range	100 meters
Feed system	Muzzle Loading

The M234 Riot Control Launcher is an M16 series rifle or M4 series carbine attachment firing a M755 Grenade round. The M234 mounts on the muzzle, bayonet lug and front sight post of the M16. It fires either the M734 64 mm Kinetic Riot Control or the M742 64 mm CSI Riot Control Ring Airfoil Projectiles. The latter produces a 4 to 5 foot tear gas cloud on impact. The launcher is capable of firing from 4 to 6 projectiles per minute. The velocity is sufficiently high to prevent dodging by target individuals at effective ranges. The effective range of the projectile is 40 meters on an individual and 60 meters on groups of individuals with a maximum range of 100 meters. The main advantage to using Ring Airfoil Projectiles is that their design does not allow them be thrown back by rioters with any real effect. The M234 is no longer used by United States forces. It has been replaced by the M203 40mm grenade launcher and nonlethal ammunition.

The ring airfoil projectile (RAP) is designed as an incapacitant. The original design used kinetic and tear gas projectiles for use in the M234 Riot Control Launcher. The design of the RAP is an aerodynamic, circular-tubed-shaped munition that discharges tear gas on impact and/or uses blunt force trauma to subdue or deter a subject. The main advantage to using RAPs is that their design does not allow them be thrown back by rioters with any real effect.

• List of individual weapons of the U.S. Armed Forces
• Riot control

• Army Field Manual, FM19-15

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