BASIC AMMUNITION LOAD – Three 20-round magazines (60 rounds)
LOAD WEIGHT – 0.73 kg (1 lb 9.8 oz)
MANUFACTURER – Advanced Armaments Inc. (AAI), Cockeysville, Maryland
STATUS – Prototype only
SERVICE – None
This is one of only two prototypes known of a select-fire flechette machine pistol. The weapon was developed as a private venture by AAI of Cockeysville, Maryland and almost no information was ever released on it outside of a specimen in a museum. The idea of a discrete flechette fired from a pistol at very high velocity would practically eliminate any recoil, allowing for a burst of fire engaging a target with a swarm of finned high-velocity “needles.” The mechanism may have a mechanical round counter to limit the length of an automatic burst. This could allow a short burst of three or four rounds to be fired before the operator could physically respond to the recoil of the first round leaving the barrel, minimizing muzzle climb and increasing hit probability. Each projectile would be capable of penetrating light armor and of causing severe medical trauma to the target by the flechette’s tendency to “hook” or bend itself into a half-circle and spin through the flesh. This is as close to the classic Science Fiction “Needle” gun as had ever been produced. The project apparently did not receive any major military funding and the weapon remained only an interesting prototype.
