Editing Non-lethal weapon (section)

===Pulsed energy projectile===
[[Pulsed energy projectile]]s or (PEP) is a technology of non-lethal [[directed energy weapon]]ry currently under development by the [[US military]]. It involves the emission of an invisible [[laser]] pulse which, upon contact with the target, ablates the surface and creates a small amount of exploding [[plasma (physics)|plasma]]. This produces a pressure wave designed to stun the target and knock them off their feet, and [[electromagnetic radiation]] that affects [[nerve cells]] causing a painful sensation.{{citation needed|date=April 2022}}

The pulsed energy projectile is intended for [[riot control]] and is said to work over distances of up to 2&nbsp;km. It weighs about 230&nbsp;kg and will probably be mounted on vehicles. The weight could become lighter as laser production technology improves.{{citation needed|date=April 2022}}

The system was developed by [[Mission Research Corporation]] (now owned by [[Orbital ATK]]). It uses a chemical [[deuterium fluoride laser]] device producing [[infrared]] laser pulses.  The plasma (produced by the early part of the pulse) explodes because its [[electron]]s absorb the energy of the later part of the pulse.{{citation needed|date=April 2022}}

In 2003, a US military review reported{{Citation needed|date=September 2008}} that the electromagnetic radiation produced by PEPs had been shown to cause pain and temporary paralysis in animal experiments.{{citation needed|date=April 2022}}

United States Special Operations Command FY 2010 plans included starting developmental work on a counter UAV pulsed energy projectile.<ref name="globalsecurity.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/pep.htm|title=Pulsed Energy Projectile (PEP)|first=John|last=Pike}}</ref>