Summary
The TASER XREP was assessed to provide a complete characterization as a less-lethal weapon. The characterization was undertaken to determine how the system performed under normal and special conditions. The characterization included an assessment of the physical/electrical design and durability of the system, in-flight aerodynamics and accuracy, risk of blunt and penetrating injuries as well as a physiological surrogate. Testing was performed in a laboratory setting to allow for control of environmental variables. All fired rounds were tested with a computer-controlled firing system. The overall accuracy of the projectile was found to decrease with distance. Vertical drop from the point of aim to the point of impact at a distance of 20 meters was -51.37 ± 4.79 cm when tested at 23°C. Testing at 50°C and -20°C showed significantly less vertical drop -31.90 ± 3.12 cm and -29.69 ± 10.23 cm respectively. The round was stable in flight and produced a very low risk of blunt trauma although penetration testing at 2 meters showed a high likelihood of penetration. The electrical output of the projectile was within the manufacturer’s specification, continued to operate after impact and did not produce any persistent clinically significant effects in the swine model.