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∙ DART-THROWER. For the future, the most radical rifle is SPIW (Special Purpose Infantry Weapons, pronounced "spew"), which fires darts instead of bullets. Called flechettes, French for "little arrows," the darts are about as thick as pencil leads and an inch or so long. They have tiny fins or thin tails to make them fly straight, and their needle-sharp points allow them to move through the air like supersonic aircraft with much less drag than short, fat, traditional bullets. Several can be fired from the same cartridge, but Army experts prefer to use one per cartridge and have the gun fire three flechettes automatically in quick succession. The darts are easily deflected by wind, brush or even leaves, and when they hit an enemy they may pass straight through his body without doing much damage. But it is far more likely that they will turn and bend, slashing through flesh like high-speed knives.