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AARDVARK Report – August 2026
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THIS MONTH: BUILDING A COMPLETE 40MM CAPABILITY
When closing distance increases risk, teams need options that allow them to influence the situation while maintaining a safer operational position.
This month, we are examining the equipment, load carriage and program decisions behind an effective 40mm response.
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Control From a Distance
CTS® 40mm Munitions and Penn Arms® Launchers
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A 40mm platform can serve several operational purposes, but those purposes do not all require the same payload or launcher configuration. Crowd management, barricade operations, area denial, and targeted engagements each place different demands on the system.
CTS® munitions paired with Penn Arms® launchers allow agencies to configure their 40mm inventory around those varied applications, giving operators access to multiple response options while maintaining familiarity with the same core platform.
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Irritant Payload Options – OC and CS available in liquid, powder, or smoke formulations, so teams can select the right chemical response for the environment and exposure needs.
Impact Round Variety – Sting-ball, foam, rubber, and wood projectiles, some with integrated irritant payloads, give operators flexibility for less-lethal response without changing systems.
Scalable Launcher Platforms – Penn Arms® launchers range from single-shot for precise, deliberate deployment to six-shot for sustained engagement, matching capacity to the operational tempo.
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Why it matters: A coordinated launcher and munition system gives teams more options without adding unnecessary complexity to the response.
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KEEP THE LOADOUT ORGANIZED
ILB-GR Grenadier Pack
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Carrying a mixed less-lethal loadout creates a separate challenge: maintaining a consistent location for every projectile and canister throughout movement and deployment.
The PROJECT 7 Armor Grenadier Pack (ILB-GR) is designed specifically around that loadout, with dedicated storage for 15 40mm rounds and 6 canister grenades.
Its compartmentalized layout keeps the operator’s equipment arranged predictably, reducing the need to search through a general-purpose bag when selecting the next munition.
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Top and Bottom External Pockets – Padded, elastic-lined pockets separate five rounds up top from ten below, keeping projectiles organized and easy to access.
Internal Compartment – A custom foam block secures six canister grenades separately, reducing rattle and contact damage during movement.
Removable Shoulder Straps with Magnetic Sternum Strap – Configure the pack for back-carry or quick-release use, while the magnetic sternum strap opens without a conventional buckle.
Squadron and 500D Cordura Construction – Built to withstand repeated loading, unloading, and movement in the field.
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Why it matters: The result is a purpose-built pack that keeps a complete less-lethal loadout separated, secured and accessible.
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Build a 40mm Program, Not Just a Launcher Inventory
Purchasing the equipment is the beginning. Four decisions determine how effectively the system can be deployed.
Step 1: Define the Application
- Identify where 40mm fits within your agency’s response options, including targeted impact, barricade resolution, crowd management and irritant deployment.
- Base the program on incidents your agency realistically encounters and clearly document the operational gap the equipment is intended to fill.
Step 2: Match the Launcher to the Mission
- Single-shot launchers offer simplicity, portability and a shorter familiarization process. Multi-shot launchers provide additional capacity for longer or more complex deployments.
- Consider operator experience, deployment environment and anticipated duration, not specifications alone.
Step 3: Select Munitions Deliberately
- Evaluate impact, OC, CS, smoke and combined-effect options against the applications already identified.
- Review manufacturer guidance, environmental limitations, policy requirements and training needs before fielding each munition.
Step 4: Standardize the Program
- Create consistent procedures for identification, inspection, storage, transportation and deployment documentation.
- Training should cover launcher operation, munition selection and the circumstances in which a particular option should not be used.
A dependable 40mm program combines suitable equipment with consistent procedures and trained judgment.
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When Less-Lethal Options Disappear: What the LAPD 40mm Ban Means for Crowd Control
By Policing Matters Podcast
Two police use of force experts examine the real-world consequences of restricting less-lethal tools and what it means for officer safety and protest policing.
What happens when a key less-lethal tool disappears from the public order toolbox? A recent federal court order halting LAPD’s use of 40mm projectile launchers has reignited a national debate about crowd control, use of force policy and the limits of modern policing.
Source: Police1, Policing Matters
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Visit Us at an Upcoming Trade Show
RMTTA Patrol and Tactical Conference
August 10, 2026
Lone Tree, CO
National Tactical Officers Association
August 30-31, 2026
Nashville, TN
We will be in booth #137 and revealing BRAND NEW products. Don't miss it!
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READY TO EVALUATE YOUR 40MM SYSTEM?
Whether your agency is establishing a new program or expanding an existing one, AARDVARK can help you evaluate launchers, munitions and load-carriage options that fit your operational requirements.
—The AARDVARK Team
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