Non-Lethal Weapons

Consists of two sub-areas: non-lethal weapons and information operations. Non-lethal weapons are weapons, devices, and munitions explicitly designed and primarily employed to incapacitate targeted personnel or materiel immediately, while minimizing fatalities, permanent injury to personnel, and undesired damage to property in the target area or environment. Information operations is the integrated employment, during military operations, of information-related capabilities in concert with other lines of operations to influence, disrupt, corrupt, or seize the decision making of adversaries and potential adversaries while protecting our own.

Recent Inquiries

Rendering Riot Control Agents as Materiels Designated as Safe

What processes exist for rendering riot control agents as materiels designated as safe?

Tactical, Operational, and Strategic Non-lethal Weapon Distribution and Employment

How can non-lethal weapons be distributed and employed at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels?

Additions to Army Techniques Publication (ATP) 3-22.40: Employment of Nonlethal Weapons

What real-life scenarios can be added to Army Techniques Publication 3-22.40?

Articles

Protect Unmanned Surface Vessels in the Gray Zone

The U.S. Navy’s unmanned surface vessels (USVs) are proliferating across multiple areas of operation, participating in increasingly more elaborate tests, integrating with partner navies, and being tactically employed. However, recent incidents involving the seizure of…

U.S. Air Force photo / Kenneth McNulty

AFRL Commander Highlights 2023 S&T Goals

U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Commander Maj. Gen. Heather Pringle joined the “Lab Life” podcast to discuss her vision for the coming year and reflect on 2022 successes. “Lab Life,” an AFRL Public Affairs…

Welcome to the Future: U.S. Navy Destroyers Are Getting Lasers

A proven design integrates new technology to remain combat effective. The U.S. Navy’s USS Preble, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, recently received a laser weapon system. The laser, called HELIOS, or High-Energy Laser with Integrated Optical…

Webinars

USAF Non-Lethal Weapons Program: A Primer for Defense Professionals and De-escalating Geopolitical Tensions Throughout the Competition Continuum

This webinar provides insight into the U.S. Air Force’s (USAF’s) non-lethal weapons program. It consists of two parts. The first part is a primer on non-lethal weapons (NLWs)/intermediate force capabilities (IFCs) covering the following topics:…

Directed Energy Intermediate Force Capabilities (IFCs): Relevant Across the Range of Military Operation

Directed energy weapons are key to addressing the Joint Force’s capability gaps. The Joint Intermediate Force Capabilities Office (JIFCO), located at Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA, develops IFCs between presence and lethal effects in support…

Active Denial Technology Computational Human Effects End-To-End Hypermodel (ADT CHEETEH)

The ADT CHEETEH is a computational model simulating the response of a human target to Active Denial Technology (ADT). ADT is a counterpersonnel, nonlethal weapon system developed for military use. ADT subjects a target to…

Events

Fuze/FFC/Demil Conference & Exhibition

Colocated events:  66th Annual Fuze Conference, Future Force Capabilities Conference & Exhibition, 23rd Global Demilitarization Symposium & Exhibition. Join NDIA at the 3rd Annual Future Force Capabilities Conference and Exhibition scheduled for September 25 –…

2023 Space Warfighting Forum

The NDIA Space Division and Rocky Mountain Chapter is pleased to announce the 4th Annual Space Warfighting Forum (SWF). Bringing together leaders from industry, government, and academia, SWF 2023 promises to further the discussion on…

Military Vehicle Systems Summit

DSI’s 2nd Military Vehicles Systems Summit is a Town Hall style forum that will bring together members from across the U.S. military services, Department of Defense, academia, and industry to discuss current efforts and programs…