Kwesst Micro Systems (KWE.V) is military technology and hardware company with a diversified product line. Many of the early products were based on a single core technology, called Micro Integrated Sensor Systems Technology (MISST), which involves miniaturized sensors, optics, ballistics and software.
Its products include:
- Tactical Awareness and Situational Control System
- Drone Threat & Counter Solution
- Tactical Laser Defeat System
- Shot Counter
- Electronic Decoys
In 2021, the U.S. $705 billion budget amounts to $4,800 per taxpayer. The total Global Defense Budget is estimated at USD $1.8 trillion in 2022 and the market is expected to grow to USD $2.3 Trillion by 2028.
Kwesst is not interested in blowing up Naval Destroyers or carpet-bombing villages. KWE’s tech if more likely to scramble enemy communications, or shoot an armed drone out of the sky.
A year ago, KWE entered into a technology purchase agreement with DEFSEC Corp to acquire proprietary non-lethal munitions technology system referred to as the low-energy cartridge technology (LEC technology).
“We see the LEC Technology as having universal application across four market segments that currently use a variety of dated “non-lethal” or “less-lethal” products, each having a vast global market,” stated Jeff MacLeod, Kwesst Founder and CEO.
LEC technology applications:
- public order (riots and control of dangerous subjects)
- military and law enforcement training (realistic force-on-force training)
- personal defence (home, car, boat, RV, camping, hiking)
- high-action gaming
LEC technology fits snugly into Kwesst’s niche of modern military solutions.
On December 7, 2022 KWE announced that it has agreed to acquire 100% of Police Ordnance Company (POC) located in Bowmanville, Ontario, with ancillary operations in Florida.
“POC owns all of the patents and trademarks to the ARWEN product line of less-lethal launchers, and a proprietary line of 37 mm less-lethal cartridges designed for riot control and tactical teams,” stated KWE, “The company has law enforcement customers across Canada, the U.S. and abroad.”
Significance of the transaction
“ARWEN is a highly respected brand in the industry, with under-exploited potential for global expansion under KWESST ownership,” stated Jeff MacLeod, Founder, President and CEO of KWESST.
“The ARWEN product line can benefit from a 37mm version of our Low Energy Cartridge (LEC) and KWESST can fast-track entry to the law enforcement market for its LEC products through POC’s selling relationships and channels.”
“We believe the current ARWEN product as is can add up to C$1M in revenue in 2022, with outlier margin contribution and scope for significant future growth,” added MacLeod.
Lethally shooting civilians is never a desirable outcome. But in a country with more guns than people avoiding lethal outcomes isn’t easy.
There is an acute need for better less-lethal weapons in the U.S.
An astonishing 44% of Americans say they personally know someone who has been shot, either accidentally or intentionally.
Funding for police departments depends on the support of the public. When a police officer shoots a civilian, the personal tragedy is often compounded by public backlash.
There is money and lives at stake.
On January 14th, 2022 Kwesst announced that it will launch its non-lethal Low Energy Cartridge (LEC) product line under the brand PARA OPS in conjunction with the opening of the 2022 SHOT Show in Las Vegas January 18-21.
The patent-pending PARA OPS combines the reliability of a cartridge with a polymer projectile in a low-energy self-stabilizing configuration for accuracy. There is no gunpowder, compressed air or CO2.
Projectiles come in a choice of payloads appropriate to the mission, whether personal defense, public order or realistic tactical simulation.
Cartridges fire from a low-cost dedicated launcher that can look like a firearm, a TV remote control, a flashlight, or any hybrid or custom design. Launchers fire only PARA OPS cartridges and will not accept live ammunition.
Projectile payloads include
- incapacitating pepper powder
- inert colored powder for training
- solid slugs for practice or pain compliance
Qq Initial products showcased at the SHOT Show are the PARA OPS first offerings for the personal defense and security market, a re-loadable single-shot launcher with built-in laser sight, light and high-decibel alarm, for multi-deterrent capability in a compact package that packs a .67 caliber projectile with incapacitating pepper powder.
As well, on display will be the big brother five-shot flashlight with quick-change magazine, high-lumen light, laser pointer and high-decibel alarm. Like the single shot, the projectile payload for operational use is incapacitating pepper powder, with inert practice variants also available.
Also, on display at SHOT Show will be the first pistol and carbine versions of PARA OPS automatic firing platforms and cartridges, coming this summer. This product line will appeal to customers with operational applications for incapacitating threats at greater distance with pepper powder projectiles, or for realistic force on force tactical training using inert colored powder projectiles. qq
KWE is still awaiting classification by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). When KWESST receives the ATF classification, it can formally accept orders for the PARA OPS launchers and munitions.
Date of product availability and final pricing will be announced at a later date.
“Many law enforcement agencies are in the process of reviewing their less-lethal policies and options, some of whom have contacted the Company for information on PARA OPS,” stated KWE, “The Company is engaging on a collaborative basis with a handful of these agencies to evaluate and obtain feedback on PARA OPS products.
On January 28th, 2022 announced that “the SHOT Show confirmed strong interest in our non-lethal PARA OPS technology and products,” said Jeff MacLeod, Founder, President, and CEO of KWESST.
This year’s SHOT Show was held as recent reports have indicated that the violent crime rate rose significantly across the United States in 2021, including increases in incidents of property crime, violent assaults and even homicides.
“Distributors from across the U.S., as well as overseas, expressed strong interest in carrying PARA OPS products and are anxiously awaiting classification from Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, commonly known as the ATF,” stated MacLeod.
“There was also pronounced interest at the show from the law enforcement community, with many commenting on the advantages of the PARA OPS low energy cartridge approach when compared with current alternatives.
Interested agencies included some of the largest metro police agencies in the U.S., Homeland Security agencies. a key military agency with responsibility for less-lethal systems – also reps from Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia, with an established base of foreign customers, expressed interest in PARA OPS solutions.
PARA OPS has partnered with Stryk Group USA to commercialize its products through digital media as well as traditional distribution channels.
“The trend of fatal police shootings in the United States seems to only be increasing, with a total 999 civilians having been shot, 226 of whom were Black, in 2020,” reported Statista, “The rate of fatal police shootings among Black Americans was much higher than that for any other ethnicity, standing at 34 fatal shootings per million”.
“In recent years, particularly since the fatal shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri in 2014, police brutality has become a hot button issue in the United States,” added Statista.
Kwesst’s technology portfolio is right on trend. The shift to PARA OPs, radically expands the end market from the military – to police departments and civilians with a desire to protect themselves from predators.
