Terrorist swimmers: don't go near the water.(TECH TALK: A TIP-SHEET ON THE LATEST GADGETS)

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The Navy and Kaman Aerospace have developed a "programmable" grenade that is specifically designed to kill hostile swimmers who seek to place bombs on the hulls of friendly ships. The new device is called the anti-swimmer grenade. The research effort was spurred by the Navy's program executive office for integrated weapon systems which was looking for a more potent weapon than the MK3A2 concussion grenade that is designed for use on land.

The detonation depth of the anti-swimmer grenade can be set at 10-foot increments, up to 100 feet, and relies on safe-arm technology. As for its blast potential, the Navy says, it has three times the power of the currently used concussion grenade. Assuming funding is made available, the maritime services, including the Coast Guard, could start acquiring anti-swimmer grenades in less than two years.