My sister took some pepper spray in the face after the Red Sox won the World Series in 2004.  More nationally known was the death of Victoria Snelgrove when she took a round from a FN303 (pictured) in the eye.  While law enforcement and military personnel swear by the FN303, it has velocity issues as well as the aforementioned national image problems.  To quell these problems the toy makers at Lund & Company have received a $723,109 contract to develop a new non-lethal VVWS, or Variable Velocity Weapon System.

This new VVWS will have adjustable velocity settings allowing the user to judge distance before firing upon a target.  Looking to extend the round capacity of the FN303 threefold, it will fire up to 500 rounds per fuel canister.  The FN303 only has a max capacity of 110 rounds.  Also, instead of using compressed air, it uses a method of electrolyzing water to produce hydrogen gas though exact propulsion methods are undisclosed at this time.

This technology may come into play on a consumer level since the brains behind this operation are a toy company whose stringent budgeting practices could bring this technology to everyday paintball guns.

[Wired]