Agencies responsible for managing crowds, responding to disturbances, and maintaining public order rely on a wide range of less-lethal tools to influence behaviour, support safety, and protect personnel.
Modern less lethal defence is not based on a single device. It is a complete system of munitions, launchers, and tactical options that work together to provide a scalable and controlled force.
This blog post outlines 11 effective Less Lethal DefenX products used by agencies. Each tool serves a specific operational purpose and contributes to safer, more structured responses during complex events.
1. 20 Gauge Door Breaching Round
Door breaching rounds are designed to break hinges, locking mechanisms, or structural points without relying on traditional ballistic penetration. The 20-gauge breaching round gives agencies a controlled tool for gaining access during emergency entry scenarios.
Instead of sending a projectile through a surface, the breaching round delivers a focused burst of energy that disrupts metal brackets, lock housings, or wooden frames. This reduces the risk of fragments entering occupied areas.
Agencies use breaching rounds when rapid entry is required to protect personnel, isolate subjects, or stabilize an evolving situation.
The predictable energy release and lower chance of secondary hazards make these rounds a safe alternative to conventional mechanical breaching.
2. 9mm Upper and Magazine System
A 9mm upper and magazine system enables agencies to convert compatible platforms into less-lethal deployment tools. These systems can fire specialized 9mm munitions designed for controlled impact, marking or sensory disruption.
The advantage of this setup is modularity. Agencies can adapt existing platforms for less-lethal duties without introducing entirely new systems. This supports consistency in handling while expanding tactical capability.
Less-lethal 9mm rounds deliver controlled energy at designated ranges, making them suitable for targeted influence, boundary reinforcement, or managing small groups during disorderly events.
3. 12 Gauge WASP
The 12-gauge WASP round is a versatile, less-lethal option designed for controlled impact. It uses a flexible, segmented payload that compresses on contact, reducing the risk of serious injury while still providing enough force to interrupt aggressive actions or influence movement.
Agencies rely on WASP rounds to disperse pressure points during crowd events, support riot lines, and guide groups away from restricted areas.
The round’s predictable performance, broad compatibility, and controlled flight characteristics make it a core tool for field teams who require intermediate force options.
4. 20 Gauge Defender 5 Shot Revolver
Revolver-based less-lethal systems offer mechanical reliability, simplified operation, and quick, sequential deployment.
The 20 gauge Defender 5-shot revolver cycles specialty rounds via a rotating cylinder rather than a magazine feed, significantly reducing the risk of mechanical interruption.
Agencies use the Defender revolver for targeted influence, corridor creation, riot support, and facility control.
Its compatibility with numerous 20-gauge munitions, including irritants, impact rounds, and noise-based options, gives teams a flexible system suitable for unpredictable environments.
5. Lightweight Pepper Blast Crowd Control Device
Pepper blast devices disperse irritant powder in a concentrated burst that quickly spreads across a designated area.
These devices are particularly effective in outdoor or semi-enclosed environments where agencies must create rapid separation or discourage group momentum.
A lightweight pepper blast tool enables personnel to influence behaviour without direct contact. The irritant cloud encourages movement away from restricted areas, relieves pressure on riot lines and provides temporary disruption that supports team repositioning.
Its portability and quick activation make it ideal for mobile field units and crowd control teams.
6. 37mm WASP
The 37mm WASP round is a controlled impact munition designed for long-range deployment. This makes it suitable for large-crowd environments where maintaining distance for safety is required.
The 37mm calibre provides stability and a predictable trajectory, ensuring that agencies can deliver consistent energy at extended engagement ranges.
WASP munitions help break aggressive momentum, reinforce boundaries, and influence behaviour during dynamic crowd situations.
Their size and performance profile make them valuable in stadium events, protest management, and large public gatherings.
7. 20 Gauge Distraction 135DB (Per Round) 50 Grains
Distraction rounds create a sudden and intense noise output, measured at 135 decibels.
This sound burst disrupts focus, breaks momentum, and gives agencies a momentary advantage during high-pressure events. The 50-grain powder charge ensures consistent activation across multiple rounds.
Distraction rounds are especially useful during corridor establishment, extraction operations, perimeter control, and riot line reinforcement.
The sudden acoustic effect gives agencies time to reposition, stabilize a formation, or redirect movement.
8. 20 Gauge WASP 12 Grams
This variation of the WASP round uses a 12-gram payload that delivers controlled impact for close- or intermediate-range applications.
Agencies use the 20-gauge WASP to intervene in targeted behaviours, reinforce dispersal commands, or interrupt actions that threaten line integrity.
Its smaller payload design provides a different energy profile than heavier options, offering agencies flexibility depending on operational distance, environment and desired effect.
The 20-gauge WASP is valued for its consistency and suitability in both outdoor and facility-based operations.
9. 12 Gauge Pepper Muzzle
The 12-gauge pepper muzzle system deploys a burst of irritant powder directly from the muzzle of a launcher platform.
Unlike projectile-based irritant rounds, the pepper muzzle disperses irritants in a wide cone pattern immediately upon firing.
This close-range dispersal is useful when teams need to break up concentrated pressure points, influence behaviour in confined spaces, or reinforce control in front-line formations.
The broad irritant spread creates immediate distance between personnel and disruptive individuals, supporting safer repositioning.
10. 37mm Aerial Burst Pepper
Aerial burst pepper rounds release irritant powder high above a crowd, allowing it to descend across a wide area. This system is designed for large-scale situations where direct impact is not necessary.
Aerial dispersal reduces physical contact, supports directional movement, and quickly covers groups.
Agencies use aerial burst pepper rounds during demonstrations, riots, large outdoor gatherings, and multi-directional crowd pressure events.
The higher detonation point helps evenly distribute the irritant while minimizing the risk of contact-based injury.
11. 37mm Ultra Light Single Launcher
The 37mm Ultra Light Single Launcher is a compact, lightweight, and highly adaptable launcher for a wide range of 37mm less-lethal munitions.
Its simplicity, portability and ease of carry make it ideal for mobile field forces, perimeter teams, and tactical formations.
The launcher supports impact rounds, irritant rounds, signalling rounds, and smoke and aerial-burst munitions.
Its single-shot design offers mechanical reliability, clear function and quick re-deployment. Agencies value it as a foundational component of their less lethal toolkit.
Conclusion
Less lethal defence is built on diversity, not a single platform. The 11 tools outlined above give agencies multiple layers of controlled force, each suited to specific operational needs.
From disrupting aggressive behaviour to dispersing crowds or reinforcing boundaries, these options help agencies maintain order while minimizing unnecessary harm.
By combining impact munitions, aerial systems, irritant tools, noise-based devices, and reliable launchers, agencies gain a full spectrum of less-lethal capabilities.
This combination supports safer operations, more precise responses, and greater control in complex environments.
