US Army turns to toy company to develop new weapon
By Donald Melanson 
posted Jul 24th 2008 5:38PM
posted Jul 24th 2008 5:38PM
We're not quite sure how the pitch session went with this one, but it looks like the US Army was so impressed by toymaker Lund and Company's Hydrogen Fuel Rocket that it decided to recruit the company to build a decidedly more lethal version of it. The new system, dubbed the Variable Velocity Weapon System, will apparently be able to be switched between lethal and non-lethal modes, and be loaded with rubber bullets, actual bullets, or other projectiles, which are fired by mixing a liquid or gaseous fuel with air in a combustion chamber. What's more, the company says that the technology could be applied to any size weapon from a "handgun to a Howitzer," and it says a demonstration version could be ready in as little as six months, with full production possible within 18 months, pending approval.
[Via Danger Room]
[Via Danger Room]
Where's Robin Williams and LL Cool J to save teh day when you need them?
...I want my string beans to be quarantined! I like a little fortress around my mashed potatoes so the meatloaf doesn't invade my mashed potatoes and cause mixing in my plate!
Oh yes, Ladies Love Cool James...
Movie reference successfully verified! I am totally humming "Happy Workers" and "The Mirror Song" in my head now
My thoughts exactly! Let's hope the products don't get accidentally mixed up and result in Little Johnny taking home an ICBM. On second thoughts, that would rock.
Only if your name is Johnny and you're diminutive. Otherwise, we're in trouble.
How about we build a time machine and shoot one of these "Variable Velocity" weapons at Columbus's ship? Then we wouldn't have to worry about an army that turns toys into weapons. eh?
Then we wouldn't have to worry about your posting anymore either. eh?
Flamebait Rating: 11
Troll Status: Confirmed
Girlfriend: None
Job: None
Friends: None
Directive: Dispatch VVWS
*Sigh*... I'm ashamed of our government...
come on, people, get a grip. it's not like they're trying to turn barbie dolls into WMDs. They're turning a toy rocket into a real rocket, not a real stretch.
I seriously get so tired of these no brain reactions of "military = evil" and "improving weapons = evil"
If we don't have the ability to use violence to respond to violence, then people who try to use peace to respond to violence will be dead and only the ones who use violence in response to peace will be the ones left standing. Thanks, but I'd rather stick to the ones that keep violence with violence and peace with peace.
Is the US perfect at this? Probably not, but it's a damn sight better than some of the alternatives.
At the very least, find some other post to reply to in order to keep your comments on the first page. My original first comment was referencing the movie "Toys" It's fun, I actually just ordered the DVD after reading this article. I recommend it to anyone who likes Robin Williams, and even those people that don't care about him either. It's got a good mix of comedy and seriousness.
I dont think they are evil, Im hoping that I will be able to pick a couple up in my Toys R Us. Will bring a new meaning to nerf wars
@KINGMEEEEEE!!!
Yeah the military wants to kill less people so let's all complain about it and make snide liberal comments on gadget blogs! Harumph!!
Hahaha I used one of those in my nanotechnology class. Interesting that it got on engadget...:O
Adding that to my Christmas list.
I got one of these for my lil-brother for Christmas.... I remember it trying to teach me things... and taking 4 tries to figure out how to get it to work right (after which, the batteries were pretty much out).
On the up side, it has a neat safety switch that kept my lil brother from popping himself in the face
*Batteries not included
No, the joke is that there is no pre-oder info!
So when will this hit shelves??
*Shrapnel grenades may contain small parts
*Nerve Gas: Choking Hazard
*This Material can kill you
Wow, I thought at first this was a joke.
Nice how they lend themselves to this, NOT.
This wouldn't be the first time. Mattel made the had grips of m16s during the Vietnam war. Ive heard some people say they produced more than that, but its been written off as myth.
http://www.snopes.com/military/m16.asp
@ justin
You are correct, sir if you watch the history channel much, mattel also had a hand in the early model thompson(W.W.II).
That is hilarious. They can't invest in trophy or dragon skin, but they'll buy a toy =]
pud face. If troops actually live to finish their tour you have to pay them that big fat bonus that got them enlist in the first place, or even worse "disabled benefits".
*shudders*
I am right in saying we didnt just hit april, right?
"any size weapon from a 'handgun to a Howitzer,'"
they've left their options wide open
And honestly, what would be the point of a Howitzer that fires rubber bullets?
...I mean, I guess that would be one hell of a warning to "knock it the hell off..."
Excellent! We just simply don't have enough ways of killing, maiming or oppressing people.
So if we don't build any new weapons, you complain about the cost. If we do build new, better, cheaper weapons, you complain that we have too many weapons.
I strongly suggest you relocate to The Land of Solla-Sollew, "Where they never have problems, at least, very few."
My dream for all you limp-wristed pacificists is that a crack-addled burglar shoots you in your own home. Is that wrong? I suppose it is, but a man can dream.
I would complain about the cost? errrr.... okay. If you say so.
You have pretty sick and narrow-minded dreams, too
"My dream for all you limp-wristed pacificists is that a crack-addled burglar shoots you in your own home."
What makes you think he's a pacifist? Maybe he's an anti-government gun-owner hoping for the day some random asshole calls him a "limp-wristed pacifist".
You just walk off a bridge cause you fail.
@ paul34
DON'T FEED THE TROLL. Can't you read the sign???
LMAO...
Gives new meaning to the phrase "war toys."
Ha! take that, Lawn Darts!
That is so odd that you said that. I live between Cherry Point and Camp LeJeune.
OOHRAH!
Tell me the one on the right doesn't look like a bong lol
The one on the right doesn't look like a bong lol.
What's a "bong lol"?
The "one on the right" is the launch pad.....
"The US Army are interested in arming soldiers with weapons that can be switched between lethal and non-lethal modes."
Finally the order "phasers on stun" will be issued in real life. Alright, maybe it'll be "set your tuneable lethality switch to stun" but that doesn't quite have the same ring to it so they should just call the guns phasers and everybody's happy.
To folks @ Lund & Co., don't mix up your shipments for the Army and Toys R Us, okay?
"Would you like to play a game?"...
Fire the Stomp Rockets(R)! Man the squirt guns! Unleash the Nerf torpedo!
Comes with a bundled Dick Cheney Action figure!
Next up: radioactive Furbies. Oh, won't Christmas be fun!
Only in the US can my little sister play with the same toys as the Army...
ya, this is what we need. MORE ways to kill people.
if this dropped, you know, food packages, i'd be down.
but eff that
Army: "Hey there, cute little toy company."
Lund: "Hi!"
Army: "You know that neat, fun rocket thingy you make?"
Lund: "Uh huh!"
Army: "For kids?"
Lund: "Yeah!"
Army: "With a little stamp on the box saying 'for ages 6 and up,' and the kid-friendly colors?"
Lund: "Yessir!"
Army: ...
Lund: ...
Army: "Yeah we're gonna need you to build a version that kills people dead."
Lund: ...
Army: "We'll pay you."
Lund: ...
Army: "$20 mil?"
Lund: "$30 mil."
Army: "Done."
How the hell were they impressed by that piece of crap? I got one several years ago and only got it to move at all once, an *astounding* 10 feet. The worse toy ever made.
"Sargent, next time, you have to jump harder!!! It was underpowered and hit Spain instead of Iran"
Leave it to the US military to turn a toy into a weapon. In related news US uses super soaker pump action technology for flame throwers.
KA-BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
Gee, what a surprise. another military-related US tech story.
I know I'm gonna buy toys from this company.... not.
Can't wait for the Exploding Tickle me Elmo's - One tickle to arm, followed by two tickles to begin count down sequence.
Just like the Army to be behind the times and forget the work that has been done in the past. DARPA developed such a system in the early to mid-90's and it was rejected by every law enforcement agency that saw it. Biggest problem is that users can forget which setting they are on in the heat of a fight. Opps - sorry you're dead - I meant to deliver a less lethal round.