From owner-imap@chumbly.math.missouri.edu Sat Jan 7 07:00:36 2006
Date: Fri, 6 Jan 2006 18:20:10 -0600 (CST)
From: The Sunshine Project <tsp@sunshine-project.org>
Subject: [Sunshine] New at the “Non-Lethal” Weapons Clearinghouse
Article: 231620
To: undisclosed-recipients: ;
http://www.sunshine-project.org/incapacitants/jnlwdpdf/SARAgasgrenade.pdf
This contract with California-based Scientific Applications and Research Associates Inc. (SARA) is for a computer simulation of SARA's real-world product, the multi-sensory grenade (MSG). The MSG is also known as the Clear-a-Space Device. The development of the MSG has been funded by the US Marine Corps.
Other public sources about the MSG, including SARA's website, suggest that it will have a malodorant payload (along with flash-bang). This contract is unique, however, because it indicates that planning is underway for the MSG to have a “knock-out gas” payload. A caption on page one of the contract states: “Here, we see a gas-masked soldier in position near a building's air supply intake. With additions to the program, we can have the soldier's weapons-usage abilities allow for the application of knock-out gas…”
In simple terms, this contract calls for the creation of a computer simulation for US police (or military) forces to experiment with the use of chemical weapons. The computer simulation is based upon a computer game called Quake or Half-Life. The US National Institute of Justice coordinates its “non-lethal” weapons research with JNLWD.
This document is heavily redacted. The Sunshine Project believes that the vast majority of the redactions are not legal under the Freedom of Information Act. On 5 January 2005, we filed an appeal with the US Department of Justice to have an unredacted copy of this contract released.