The plasticky firearms feature a laser sight but it doesn't seem much help, since those demonstrating the "color ball launchers" can't quite hit their slow-moving example targets. I mean, we've got non-lethal weapons in the States too, like beanbag launchers, rubber bullets and pellets, but they're called "non-lethal" because they'll only barely not kill you. These paintball guns would probably be approved by our FCC for use by children under the age of twelve. So you're welcome, criminals of Japan. Just wear an old shirt when you commit crimes and you'll have nothing to worry about. [Japan Probe]

In a recent briefing, the Department of Defense laid out its new plans: Smaller and far more precise UAVs with badass names like "Suburb Warrior" and "Sniper" that will hunt in groups, rather than just blowing suspected hideouts to pieces with Hellfire missiles. The Suburb Warrior, for example, is designed to fire volleys of mini-missiles in tight formation, which makes a nice change from previous missiles that often demolished entire city blocks.

Unfortunately, these new UAVs should see production in about five years, by which time who knows what kind of battles we'll need to fight—or who'll be leading the Pentagon. But it's a step in the right direction, that's for sure. [Esquire]

The bill is meant to be held like a handle, and the crown of the cap is heavily weighted, in case you want to bust some skulls but don't have any pocket space for a normal blackjack. It's not really clear what's actually providing the weight; apparently it's a "unique material that is 110% the density of lead and will not rust," which is thoughtful, because a rusty baseball cap is a dead giveaway that something weird is going on. [Product Page via Fashionably Geek]

The Pentagon has been working on the .50 caliber EXACTO for about a year already, and its main focus is to overcome climate conditions to stay accurate over a longer range. Here's some jargon they've used to describe the kind of tech that might do such a thing:

Fin-stabilized projectiles, spin-stabilized projectiles, internal and/or external aero-actuation control methods, projectile guidance technologies, tamper proofing, small stable power supplies, and advanced sighting, optical resolution and clarity technologies.

Basically, we're talking about bullets that can adjust to weather conditions in mid-air, either through external control or the abilities of the bullet itself.

Currently, snipers are really only accurate up to about 800 meters. Beyond that, it gets much harder to reliably hit a target: At 2,000 meters, snipers can probably hit the side of a barn, but a head shot isn't too likely. This rifle could change all of that, and more importantly, lead to even more badass pirate takedowns than we've seen already. And we're all about the pirate takedowns. [Time]

Which is, of course, interestingly ironic since the Abrams M1 typically doesn't use reactive armor, neither does its UK equivalent main battle tank the Challenger 2—they rely on advanced solid armor instead. And you'd need either a very lucky strike, or many impacts to seriously damage one of these beasts with any type of RPG. Russian tanks, like the T72 and T80, on the other hand, do rely on reactive armor and sometimes employ active defense systems like Arena. Would be interesting to see the RPG-30 pitted against the Future Combat System's Quick Kill defenses, don't you think?

Still, makers Bazalt got some military chaps to demonstrate the system recently on TV:[Wired]

Among the callers was John Hope, who keeps a trigger lock on the 9-mm Beretta stowed in his Bracebridge home. He says he's eager to give up the gun so it doesn't land in the wrong hands – a criminal or suicidal teenager, say. Since he can't trade it for a camera, he now plans to throw it into the middle of a lake.

"There's no way someone's going to go down 200 feet to get a gun he doesn't know is there," he said.

Smart thinking.

It's a really great promotion, even though most people who own a gun can probably already acquire a digital camera for free...[The Star via UberReview]

The WASP website states “the effects of the compressed gas not only cause overinflation during ascent when used underwater, but also freezes all tissues and organs surrounding the point of injection on land or at sea.” It's like a freeze ray out of a superhero movie... Only it's real, and thus infinitely scarier. Somebody hold me. [UK Daily Mail via Technabob]

Instructions on how to become your own LEGO arms dealer can be found in Hüdepohl's book, LEGO for Adults. The book features construction plans for the two weapons, detailed operating instructions, and a Thriller Automatic mini poster. According to the website, only 1,050 copies of the book were made because of LEGO's rules against using their trademark in connection with guns. So grab the book quick, before you're on the losing end of a LEGO showdown. [Xubor via Boingboing]