Sticky foam
Encyclopedia
Sticky foam is an incapacitant, used when less lethal force is required, consisting of various extremely tacky and/or tenacious materials carried in compressed form with a propellant and used to block, entangle, and impair individuals. A National Institute of Justice
-funded project at Sandia National Laboratory developed a "gun" which could fire multiple shots of sticky foam. After testing the product for corrections applications, Sandia provided the U.S. Marine Corps Operation United Shield
with sticky foam guns and supporting equipment to assist in the withdrawal of UN Peacekeepers
from Somalia
. Problems with this technology include: the serious risk of smothering (suffocating) the subject; skin clean-up (the foam may not be toxic, but solvents are often harsh); "gun" clogging; targeting and firing; and gun cleaning. The Marine Corps reportedly successfully used the sticky foam guns as part of the operation in Somalia. The sticky foam was mentioned in the bestseller book, "Men who stare at goats,"
and became slightly better known to the general public.
Scott, Steven H.; "Sticky foam as a less-than-lethal technology," p. 96-103 of Proc. SPIE v. 2934, Security Systems and Nonlethal Technologies for Law Enforcement, John B. Alexander, Debra D. Spencer, Steve Schmit & Basil J. Steele, Eds.
National Institute of Justice
The National Institute of Justice is the research, development and evaluation agency of the United States Department of Justice. NIJ, along with the Bureau of Justice Statistics , Bureau of Justice Assistance , Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention , Office for Victims of Crime ,...
-funded project at Sandia National Laboratory developed a "gun" which could fire multiple shots of sticky foam. After testing the product for corrections applications, Sandia provided the U.S. Marine Corps Operation United Shield
Operation United Shield
Operation United Shield was the name given to a multinational military operation that was conducted from 9 January 1992 to 3 March 1995. The purpose of Operation United Shield was the safe evacuation of all United Nations peacekeeping troops from Somalia...
with sticky foam guns and supporting equipment to assist in the withdrawal of UN Peacekeepers
Peacekeeping
Peacekeeping is an activity that aims to create the conditions for lasting peace. It is distinguished from both peacebuilding and peacemaking....
from Somalia
Somalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
. Problems with this technology include: the serious risk of smothering (suffocating) the subject; skin clean-up (the foam may not be toxic, but solvents are often harsh); "gun" clogging; targeting and firing; and gun cleaning. The Marine Corps reportedly successfully used the sticky foam guns as part of the operation in Somalia. The sticky foam was mentioned in the bestseller book, "Men who stare at goats,"
and became slightly better known to the general public.
Scott, Steven H.; "Sticky foam as a less-than-lethal technology," p. 96-103 of Proc. SPIE v. 2934, Security Systems and Nonlethal Technologies for Law Enforcement, John B. Alexander, Debra D. Spencer, Steve Schmit & Basil J. Steele, Eds.