Projectile launching system with anchors having different flight characteristics

Abstract

A projectile deployment system includes an entangling projectile (12) having a pair of anchors (14a, 14b) and a tether (16) connecting the projectiles. The projectile housing (44) includes a pair of slots (30a, 30b), each slot sized to carry one of the pair of anchors. At least one pressure source (50) is capable of expelling one or both of the anchors from the projectile housing toward a subject (100). At least one of the entangling projectile (12) or the projectile housing (44) can be configured such that the pair of anchors (14a, 14b) travel toward the subject (100) with different flight characteristics after expulsion from the projectile housing (44).

Description

[0001] Priority Claim

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 17 / 179,341, filed on February 18, 2021. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention generally relates to a sub-lethal long-range weapon system for assisting in hindering or subduing enemies or interested escapees. Background Technology

[0004] It has long been recognized that police and military personnel can benefit from using weapons and equipment other than firearms to handle certain hostile situations. While firearms are essential tools in law enforcement, they provide a level of force that is sometimes not guaranteed. In many situations, law enforcement officers may wish to handle situations without relying on the use of firearms. However, it is generally accepted that hand-to-hand combat is not the desired alternative.

[0005] For at least these reasons, long-range engagement devices such as TASERTM have been developed to provide alternatives for such situations. While some success has been achieved with such electromuscle disruption (“EMD”) weapons, debate remains regarding whether such devices are as safe as required or whether they represent an appropriate level of force in many cases. Other long-range engagement solutions, such as maces or pepper spray, are limited in range and are often criticized for the pain inflicted on the target and the potential impact on police or bystanders.

[0006] For at least these reasons, the applicant has developed a commercially successful product. Branded transmitters, which can be used by police or law enforcement personnel to safely and reliably restrain or temporarily impede objects. Although the transmitters developed by this applicant continue to be widely used, efforts to improve their functionality are ongoing. Summary of the Invention

[0007] According to one aspect of the invention, a projectile deployment system is provided, comprising an entangled projectile including a pair of anchors and tethers connecting the anchors. The projectile housing may include a pair of slots, each slot sized to accommodate one of the pair of anchors. At least one selectively activated pressure source is capable of discharging one or both of the anchors from the projectile housing toward a target. At least one of the entangled projectile or the projectile housing may be configured such that the pair of anchors travel toward the target with different flight characteristics after deployment from the projectile housing.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present technology, a projectile deployment system is provided, including a projectile housing having: a pair of slots, each slot sized to carry one of a pair of anchors for an entangled projectile having a tether connecting the pair of anchors; and a pair of pressure sources, each capable of generating a pressure wave that can discharge from one of the slots to one of the anchors to deploy the entangled projectile from the projectile housing toward an object. A controller may be operable to activate one or both of the pressure sources. The projectile deployment system can be configured to deploy anchors from the projectile housing such that they exhibit different flight characteristics.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present technology, an entangled projectile is provided for use in a projectile deployment system. The entangled projectile may include a pair of anchors and tethers connecting the anchors. Each of the pair of anchors may include a plurality of physical characteristics affecting the flight characteristics of each of the pair of anchors. At least one of the plurality of physical characteristics of one of the anchors may differ from at least one corresponding of the plurality of physical characteristics of the other of the anchors, such that the pair of anchors have different flight characteristics after launch from the projectile deployment system.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present technology, a method is provided for deploying an entangled projectile carried by an entangled projectile launcher comprising a pair of slots, each slot carrying each of a pair of anchors and wherein tethers connect the anchors. The method may include activating one or more selectively activated pressure sources to advance each of the anchors forward within each respective slot, such that the pair of anchors are deployed from the launcher with different flight characteristics.

[0011] Additional features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the features of the invention by way of example. Attached Figure Description

[0012] The following accompanying drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention. The same reference numerals denote the same portions in different views or embodiments of the invention in the drawings.

[0013] Figure 1 A top view, bottom view, front view, or rear view of an entangled projectile that extends substantially along its entire length according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0014] Figure 2A yes Figure 1 A side view of the projectile's anchor or projectile and part of the tether;

[0015] Figure 2B yes Figure 2AAn end view of the anchor or projectile;

[0016] Figure 3A It is a top view of the object to which entangled projectiles have been launched, showing the entangled projectiles in incremental positions before engaging the object;

[0017] Figure 3B yes Figure 3A A top view of the object and the projectile, showing the situation shortly after the entangled projectile engages the object;

[0018] Figure 4 This is a front view of a portion of an object according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the situation just before the entangled projectile engages the object's legs;

[0019] Figure 5 This is a top view schematic diagram of an exemplary launching tube or shell for holding two anchors of an entangled projectile according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 6 This is a top view schematic diagram of an exemplary launch tube or housing for retaining two anchors of an entangled projectile according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 7 This is a partial view of an entangled projectile according to an embodiment of the present technology, showing two anchors and a portion of the tether;

[0022] Figure 8 This is a partial view of an entangled projectile according to another embodiment of the present technology, showing two anchors and a portion of the tether;

[0023] Figure 9 This is a partial view of an entangled projectile according to another embodiment of the present technology, showing two anchors and a portion of the tether; and

[0024] Figure 10 This is a partial view of an entangled projectile according to another embodiment of the present technology, showing two anchors and a portion of the tether. Detailed Implementation

[0025] Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and these embodiments will be described herein using specific language. However, it should be understood that this is not intended to limit the scope of the invention thereto. Variations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, as well as additional applications of the inventive principles illustrated herein (which will be apparent to those skilled in the art possessing the relevant knowledge of this disclosure), should be considered to fall within the scope of the invention.

[0026] definition

[0027] As used herein, the singular forms “a” and “the” can include plural referents unless the context explicitly indicates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an anchor” can include one or more such anchors if the context specifies otherwise.

[0028] As used herein, the term "flight characteristics" describes the movement behavior of an anchor launched from a launch tube or casing and traveling forward to reach a target object at different times. By altering the relative flight characteristics of the anchors, the anchors are less likely to collide with each other while "wrapping" around the object, because the anchors are in different forward positions relative to the object when wrapping around it. "Flight characteristics" can refer to the anchor's velocity, its relative forward position when released from the launch tube, the angle of its trajectory relative to the launch tube, the anchor's aerodynamic drag (or drag coefficient), and / or the aerodynamic drag (or drag coefficient) of the projectile or tether that affects the anchor's velocity.

[0029] As used herein, the term “drag coefficient” should be understood as the amount of hydrodynamic drag on the entangled projectile, anchor, tether, or other object discussed herein as such an object travels through the air after being deployed from the launcher.

[0030] As used herein, the term "substantially" refers to the complete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, attribute, state, structure, item, or result. As an arbitrary example, an object "substantially" closed is a completely or nearly completely closed item. In some cases, the permissible degree of precision relative to absolute completeness may depend on the specific context. However, generally speaking, a degree of near-completeness will achieve a result similar to that obtained with absolute completeness. The use of "substantially" in negative statements also applies to the complete or nearly complete absence of an action, characteristic, attribute, state, structure, item, or result. As another arbitrary example, a composition "substantially free of" a component or element may still actually contain such an item, provided that its result does not have a measurable effect.

[0031] As used herein, the term “about” is used to provide flexibility for the endpoint by assuming that a given value may be “slightly above” or “slightly below” the endpoint of the numerical range.

[0032] In this document, relative direction terms are sometimes used to describe and declare various parts of the invention. Such terms include, but are not limited to, “up,” “down,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” etc. These terms are generally not intended to be limiting, but are used to most clearly describe and declare the various features of the invention. Where such terms must be limited in some way, they are intended to be limited to usages known and understood by those skilled in the art in the context of the invention.

[0033] When this article discusses the position of the anchor relative to the position of the projectile shell, it is generally understood that the relationship is relative to the foremost part of the shell: that is, the part of the shell closest to the anchor in question after the anchor is deployed.

[0034] As used herein, for convenience, multiple items, structural elements, components, and / or materials may be presented in a public list. However, these lists should be interpreted as if each member of the list were individually identified as a separate and unique member. Therefore, individual members in such lists should not be construed as actual equivalents of any other member in the same list, solely based on their presentation in the public group and without indication to the contrary.

[0035] Numerical data may be expressed or presented in range format in this document. It should be understood that this range format is used solely for convenience and brevity, and therefore should be flexibly interpreted to include not only the numerical values ​​explicitly stated as the limits of the range, but also all individual numerical values ​​or subranges covered within that range, just as each numerical value and subrange is explicitly stated. For illustration, the numerical range “about 1 to about 5” should be interpreted to include not only the explicitly stated values ​​of about 1 to about 5, but also the individual values ​​and subranges within the indicated range. Thus, included within this numerical range are individual values ​​such as 2, 3, and 4, and subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 2 to 4, and from 3 to 5, as well as the individual values ​​1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.

[0036] The same principle applies to a range that states only a single numerical value as a minimum or maximum value. Furthermore, this interpretation should apply regardless of the width of the range or characteristic in question.

[0037] invention

[0038] This technology generally relates to sub-lethal weapon systems, sometimes referred to as entanglement or seizure systems, which can be effectively used as auxiliary devices to impede the advance of an aggressive or fleeing object or to detain such an object. In situations where law enforcement, security, or military personnel wish to detain an object but do not wish to use lethal or harmful force or close-quarters combat, devices according to this technology can be advantageously used to temporarily impair the object's ability to walk, run, or use his or her arms. This technology provides a method for temporarily tethering or binding an object's arms or legs to such an extent that the object finds it difficult to continue moving in a normal manner.

[0039] While this technique can be applied to a range of parts of an object's body, the following discussion will focus primarily on using this technique to temporarily tether or bind the object's legs. However, it should be understood that this technique is not limited to this application. In some cases, multiple parts of the object's body can be targeted, such as both arms and legs.

[0040] like Figure 1-4 As shown in general, the technology includes an entanglement projectile 12 that can be deployed toward the legs of an object: when the projectile contacts the legs, it wraps around the legs, thereby entangled or trapping the object. The projectile includes at least one flexible tether 16 and a pair of anchors or projectiles 14a, 14b coupled together by the tether. Figures 1 to 4 The anchor shown is general in nature; as will be understood from the remaining figures, the anchor can incorporate more complex architectures as desired. By engaging an object with the entangled projectile, the object is temporarily partially or completely incapacitated, thus limiting his or her ability to escape or attack. The entangled projectile of this technology is launched from the launcher toward the object ( Figures 3A-4 (100) is launched. For example, in... Figure 5 and Figure 6 The diagram shows a portion of an exemplary launch tube or casing used with a suitable launcher. While a functional launcher may require more structure than shown, those skilled in the art will readily understand the function and operation of the existing components throughout the system.

[0041] The energy source used to propel the entangled projectile can vary, but as a non-limiting example, it may include compressed gas, empty cartridges, explosives / combustibles, mechanical springs, electromagnetic components, chemical compositions, etc.

[0042] Generally, the launcher used with this entanglement projectile will fire the projectile toward the target 100 at a relatively high velocity. Typically, the projectile can be deployed toward the target from a distance of approximately 6 feet to approximately 30 feet (1.8 meters to 9.1 meters) and engage the target in less than approximately 0.5 seconds (traveling at a speed of approximately 400-600 feet per second (122-183 m / s) at the muzzle). After deployment, the entanglement projectile will wrap around the target's legs multiple times, causing the target to be temporarily unable to move effectively. Because the entanglement projectile can be launched from a distance, law enforcement officers can maintain a safe distance from the target while still being able to effectively and safely temporarily restrain, disable, or impair the target.

[0043] The operation of entangled projectiles is generally as follows: Figures 3A to 4 As shown: After being released by the launcher, the projectile 12 travels toward the object 100. As the projectile travels toward the object, the projectiles 14a and 14b move away from each other. As the anchors move away from each other, the tether 16 is pulled into an increasingly taut configuration. Note that, as... Figure 3A As shown, the tether may not be fully taut before engaging the object. Once the projectile engages the object (in the examples shown in these figures, engaging the object's leg), the projectile and tether become entangled around the object, thus temporarily binding and / or disabling it.

[0044] Figure 1 The diagram shows the L-shaped extension extending to its full length. O The projectile 12. In one embodiment, the total length of the tether is greater than the length of the anchor or the projectile (L). a1 Much longer. The total length can be approximately seven feet (2.14 meters) or longer. The projectile can be approximately 1.5 inches (3.81 cm) in length. a1 (Figure 2a) and a diameter “D” that is approximately between 1 / 8 inch and 3 / 8 inch (0.32–0.95 cm). a While different embodiments of the technology may vary, it is generally desirable to keep the projectile in a relatively small size, thereby limiting the overall size requirements of the projectile casing that houses the projectile before deployment and reducing the impact when the projectile makes direct contact with the object. In this way, the technology can be provided in lightweight handheld devices.

[0045] Figure 3A and Figure 3B Exemplary applications of this technology are illustrated. These figures are provided to explain the basic function of the various components; it should be understood that the relative dimensions and positions of the various components in these figures may not be drawn to scale, and the relationship between the positions of the anchor and the tether may not be precisely shown. Figure 3A The illustration shows a series of configurations / positions of the projectile 12 after deployment from the launcher. As indicated by reference numeral 15a, the tether 16 typically trails behind anchors 14a, 14b as the anchors move forward and separate. At the position indicated by reference numeral 15b, the anchors have been pushed forward and further separated, and the tether has been pulled closer to the taut configuration. The position indicated by reference numeral 15c immediately follows before the tether 16 contacts the object 100. After this point, the anchors will begin to move around the object in increasingly smaller trajectories until the projectile is completely wrapped around the object. In the preceding wrapping scenarios, although rare, it sometimes occurs that the anchors will collide with each other while wrapping around the object. This can lead to engagement failure. This technique provides various features to avoid this outcome.

[0046] As from Figure 3A As the lieutenant general understands, plane 72 represents the point of contact where the projectile 12 will engage the object 100. In the illustrated case, when anchor 14b reaches plane 72, it will have traveled a greater distance from the launcher than anchor 14a. Therefore, the relative trajectories of the anchors will differ. This is, for example, in... Figure 3BThe diagram schematically shows that at the point where their tracks coincide, anchor 14a is closer to the object's body than anchor 14b. Therefore, the anchors are positioned so that they cannot collide with each other: they will easily pass each other without contact.

[0047] By providing a system and method that results in two anchors having different flight characteristics, their times of crossing the object plane are different: therefore, the risk of engagement failure is minimized. This technology provides various ways in which anchors can exhibit different flight characteristics. These different flight characteristics allow the anchors to reach the object at varying times, thereby reducing the risk of collisions while the anchors are orbiting the object. This technology can provide these advantages by modifying the anchors, tethers, or projectile housings.

[0048] Turn now Figure 5 An exemplary schematic diagram of the projectile housing 44 illustrates one manner in which anchors can be launched. The housing may include a pair of slots 30a, 30b, each slot being sized and shaped to accommodate one of the pair of anchors 14a, 14b, respectively. The housing may accommodate at least one selectively activated pressure source 50. Although two pressure sources 50a, 50b are shown in the figure, many examples provided below can be implemented using a single pressure source that delivers pressure to both slots. Once activated, the pressure source(s) can eject one or both of the anchors from the projectile housing toward an object. One or more controllers 52 may be provided that can activate one or both of the pressure sources.

[0049] Figure 5 and Figure 6 The components are shown schematically because the physical properties of the pressure sources and controllers can vary considerably. In one example, pressure sources 50a and 50b can be well-known cartridge blanks containing powder but not slugs. When activated, they generate significant pressure waves that propel anchors 14a and 14b from slots 30a and 30b with considerable force. In this basic example, controller 52 may include a mechanical mechanism that forcibly impacts the primer of the cartridge blank, causing discharge. In other examples, the primer of the cartridge blank may be electronically activated, in which case the controller would be electronic. In other examples, pressure sources may include compression cylinders, spring mechanisms, electronic actuators, electromagnetic components, chemical compositions, etc.

[0050] Regardless of the pressure source and controller system used, either or both of the entangled projectile 12 or the projectile housing 44 can be configured such that the pair of anchors travel toward the object with different flight characteristics after deployment from the projectile housing. Referring to the projectile housing 44, this can be achieved in a variety of ways. In one embodiment, such as Figure 6 As shown in the example, anchors 12a and 12b can be positioned at different forward locations relative to the front 46 of the projectile housing 44 before activation. Length L b Length L a Shorter. Assuming the anchors experience similar pressure waves at similar launch times, projectile 14b will travel slightly ahead of projectile 14a when it is deployed from the casing. When it finally reaches... Figure 3A When constructed as shown, this will result in the desired offset.

[0051] In a similar arrangement not explicitly shown in the accompanying drawings, each slot can be fluidly coupled to an associated pressure source. The fluid distance from one anchor within a slot to the corresponding pressure source can vary relative to the fluid distance from another anchor within another slot to another corresponding pressure source. In other words, the distance a pressure wave must travel before engaging an anchor can vary. This can cause one anchor to deploy from the housing faster than the other. A similar result can be achieved by forming a slot that is longer than the other: a shorter slot may not generate as much pressure during anchor deployment, resulting in varying flight characteristics.

[0052] More generally, two slots can be configured such that they include asymmetric fluid constraints. For example, as mentioned above, the fluid distance can be varied, or different internal constraints can be included in the slots, one or more choke points, etc. Each of these varying characteristics can be introduced into the slots to create a fluid difference, resulting in different flight characteristics.

[0053] In another example, pressure source 50a can vary relative to pressure source 50b. For example, pressure source 50a can provide a pressure wave with a larger amplitude than 50b, resulting in different flight characteristics. When using a cartridge blank in this example, the blank can carry more propellant or a different type of propellant. Furthermore, different propellant types can be selected to generate pressure waves faster or slower, regardless of amplitude, to produce the same effect. In another example, controller 52 (its references may include a single controller or two independent controllers) can activate pressure sources 50a and 50b at independent times. For example, pressure source 50b can be activated 4 ms to 8 ms (milliseconds) before pressure source 50a. This can be achieved using one or more electronic controllers 52 or one or more mechanical controllers.

[0054] In another example, anchors 14a and 14b can be provided with substantially matching physical properties, such as outer diameter (e.g., Figure 2B D in a However, the inner diameters of slots 30a and 30b can vary. In other words, the frictional fit or clearance between the respective anchor and its slot can vary. In this way, the relative movement of the anchors within their slots can vary: one anchor can move more freely, while the other can be more restricted and move less quickly. This different clearance fit can also affect the development of pressure waves within the slot, again leading to different flight characteristics. Additionally, the surface finish of the inner surfaces of slots 30a and 30b can vary. For example, one surface (e.g., Figure 5 31) can be smoother or rougher than the other surface, which will affect the travel rate of the anchor through the corresponding slot.

[0055] like Figure 5 As illustrated, slots 30a and 30b are typically angled outwards relative to the centerline of housing 44. This causes the anchors to travel apart from each other as they are deployed from the slots and move forward. Before engaging the object, the resulting forces cause the tether 16 to be pulled into a configuration that tends to tighten between the anchors. In the applicant's conventional system, the corresponding angle α... a and α b They are equal. That is, the corresponding anchors travel outward at equal angles relative to the centerline of the housing 44. However, according to one aspect of the art, the angles can vary relative to each other to produce desired differences in the flight characteristics of the anchors 14a and 14b. For example, angle α b It can be less than angle α a This causes anchor 14b to move forward more directly than anchor 14a.

[0056] Figures 7 to 10 Further embodiments of the technology are illustrated, in which the physical properties of the various components of the entangled projectile vary to produce different flight characteristics in the anchor. These examples are also shown schematically and may not be drawn to scale or may not accurately represent the physical differences between the anchors in detail. In each example shown, the anchor includes a base portion whose diameter is typically larger than the diameter of the rest of the anchor. This is typically the portion of the anchor to which a pressure wave exerts a force. Figure 7In the example shown, the base 18' of anchor 14a1 has a larger volume than the corresponding feature of anchor 14b1. Assuming the anchors are formed of the same material, this results in anchor 14a1 having a larger mass than 14b1, and therefore potentially a slower forward speed after deployment from the housing. The increased mass or size of the base portion of anchor 14a1 can also affect the rate at which the anchor travels through the slot and through the air after deployment from the slot.

[0057] exist Figure 8 In the example shown, anchor 14b2 includes a similar construction to anchor 14a2, but is shorter in length, such as through length L. a2 and L b2 The comparison is evident. Therefore, anchor 14b2 will likely have a greater forward velocity after being deployed from the housing.

[0058] exist Figure 9 In the example shown, the outer surface 20 of the base of anchor 14a3 has a different surface finish than the outer surface 20' of the base of anchor 14b3. This difference can affect the projectile's flight characteristics in several ways. First, the different surface treatments can create different frictional engagement with the inner surface of the slot, which can affect the speed at which the anchor travels along the slot. Additionally, the surface regions 20 and 20' that affect the drag coefficient of the anchor can be modified. This can slow down the anchor's speed as it travels through the air and introduce desired changes to its trajectory as it travels through the air.

[0059] In addition to the physical properties shown in the figure, anchors can also be formed from different materials, which can affect the relative mass of the anchors. These changes in materials can also affect the drag coefficient of the anchor and the coefficient of friction relative to the inner surface of the slot. Furthermore, the outer base surface of one of the anchors can be formed to have a slightly larger diameter than the other anchor (e.g., Figure 2B D in a This can affect the rate at which the anchor travels along its corresponding slot.

[0060] In addition to the specific examples provided, other variations or treatments can be incorporated into the projectile shell or anchors to create different flight characteristics. Furthermore, features similar to those described above can be incorporated into both the anchors and the shell. That is, the physical properties of the slots 30a and 30b of the shell 44 can vary relative to each other, and the physical properties of the anchors 14a and 14b can vary relative to each other, or both can vary.

[0061] Figure 10Another aspect of this technology is illustrated, in which each adjacent segment of the tether differs from each other in the anchor. In the example shown, segment 16' of the tether adjacent to anchor 14b4 differs from the corresponding segment of anchor 14a4. This segment may include, for example, differences in surface finish, additional weight, etc. Furthermore, the position where the tether is attached to the anchor can vary. Moreover, the manner in which the tether is wound adjacent to each anchor and the storage arrangement adjacent to each tether within the housing or outer casing can vary. Each of these features or modifications can alter the flight characteristics of the respective anchor relative to another anchor.

[0062] In addition to the structures described above, this technology also provides various methods for manufacturing, configuring, deploying, and loading entangled projectiles and their associated launchers and cartridges. In one specific example, a method is provided for deploying an entangled projectile carried by an entangled projectile launcher comprising a pair of slots, each slot carrying each of a pair of anchors, and wherein tethers connect the anchors. The method may include activating one or more selectively activated pressure sources to advance each of the anchors forward within each respective slot, such that the pair of anchors are deployed from the launcher with different flight characteristics.

[0063] The method may further include activating a pair of pressure sources at different times, each pressure source being associated with one of the pair of anchors.

[0064] It should be understood that the above-described arrangement is an illustration of the application of the principles of the present invention. Although the present invention has been shown in the accompanying drawings and described in conjunction with one or more exemplary embodiments thereof, many modifications and alternative arrangements can be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications can be made without departing from the principles and concept of the invention as illustrated in the examples.

Claims

1. A projectile deployment system, comprising: An entangled projectile comprising a pair of anchors and a tether connecting the anchors; as well as Projectile casing, comprising: A pair of slots, each slot being sized to accommodate one of the pair of anchors; At least one pair of pressure sources, each capable of discharging one of the anchors from the projectile housing toward the object, wherein each slot is fluidly coupled to the associated pressure source, and wherein the pressure source is independently activating at different times; At least one of the entangled projectile or the projectile housing is configured such that the pair of anchors travel toward the object with different flight characteristics after being deployed from the projectile housing.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the pair of anchors differ from each other in at least one of the following aspects: material; volume; shape; surface finish; mass; outer diameter and drag coefficient.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the anchor is positioned in the slot at different locations relative to the front of the projectile housing.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid resistance in one slot varies relative to the fluid resistance in the other slot.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein each pressure source has a different power output.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the pair of anchors have matching outer diameters and wherein the pair of slots have different inner diameters.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the pair of slots have different inner diameter surface finishes.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the segments of the tether adjacent to each of the pair of anchors differ in one of the following aspects: relative position, weight, surface finish, or drag coefficient.

9. A method for deploying an entangled projectile carried by an entangled projectile launcher, the entangled projectile launcher comprising a pair of slots, wherein each slot carries each of a pair of anchors and wherein a tether connects the anchors, the method comprising: A pair of pressure sources are activated at different times, thereby advancing each of the anchors in each corresponding slot, such that the pair of anchors are deployed from the launcher with different flight characteristics, each of the pressure sources being associated with one of the pair of anchors.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the pair of anchors differ from each other in at least one of the following aspects: material; volume; shape; surface finish; mass; outer diameter and drag coefficient.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the anchor is positioned in the slot at different locations relative to the front of the projectile housing, such that activation causes the anchor to exit the respective slot at different times.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein each slot is fluidly coupled to an associated pressure source, and the fluid resistance in one slot varies relative to the fluid resistance in the other slot.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein each slot is fluidly coupled to an associated pressure source, and wherein each pressure source has a different power output.

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