A non-lethal munition system for helping to determine a possible vehicular threat to a checkpoint at standoff range is being deployed by the U.S. Marines.

The munitions are part of the Non-Lethal Tube-Launched Munitions System, which is comprised of a vehicle-mounted 40mm grenade launcher. The launcher has a digital fire control and can shoot between one and 30 non-lethal rounds out to a distance of about 500 yards.

Each round contains four flash-bang sub-munitions.

"Marines require something to be able to hail and warn from a distance" said Anita Tate, non-lethal team lead for NL/TLMS for Marine Corps Systems Command's Infantry Weapons Systems. "What we have is a very safe, very easy-to-use system that will allow Marines guarding military checkpoints to better determine the intent of an approaching vehicle."

The system could also be used to disperse crowds.

The Marines said it is fielding the system to expeditionary units and Reserve units. Fielding within the United States is expected to be completed by early winter.