Non-Lethal Weapons Program

Welcome to the NEW Joint Intermediate Force Capabilities Office (JIFCO)!

The Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Directorate (JNLWD) as you know it, is no longer. The Commandant of the Marine Corps’ 2020 Executive Agent’s Planning Guidance outlines the mission and vision for the new Joint Intermediate Force Capabilities Office (JIFCO). This milestone in the DOD NLW Program’s history ensures that the Department of Defense mainstreams the use of the vital and relevant tools known as Intermediate Force Capabilities (IFCs). IFCs, which exist between presence and lethal effects, enable U.S. and allied forces to deliver accurate, tailorable, and compelling effects in complex and ambiguous scenarios while preventing unintended escalation of hostilities, unnecessary loss of life, or destruction of critical infrastructure. Team JIFCO looks forward to serving the Joint Force and its strategic partners.

IFC EA Planning Guidance 2020 USMC Gazette Article on EA Guidance

What's New?

JIFCO Director Pens Article for August Marine Corps Gazette

Col Wendell Leimbach, Director of the Joint Intermediate Force Capabilities Office, published an article synopsizing the Commandant's recent guidance for the DOD Non-Lethal Weapons Program. The article was published in the August issue of the Marine Corps Gazette. The full article can be found HERE.

Pentagon Developing Electric Stun Grenade to Disable Everyone in a Room

Mr. David Law, Chief of the Joint Intermediate Force Capabilities Office Technology Division spoke with David Hambling of Forbes magazine about this capability in development. Read the full article HERE.

Welcome to the new Joint Intermediate Force Capabilities Office (JIFCO)!

The Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Directorate (JNLWD) as you know it, is no longer.

The Commandant of the Marine Corps’ 2020 Executive Agent’s Planning Guidance outlines the mission and vision for the new Joint Intermediate Force Capabilities Office (JIFCO). This milestone in the DOD NLW Program’s history ensures that the Department of Defense mainstreams the use of the vital and relevant tools known as Intermediate Force Capabilities (IFCs). IFCs, which exist between presence and lethal effects, enable U.S. and allied forces to deliver accurate, tailorable, and compelling effects in complex and ambiguous scenarios while preventing unintended escalation of hostilities, unnecessary loss of life, or destruction of critical infrastructure.

Team JIFCO looks forward to serving the Joint Force and its strategic partners. [Click on the image to read the full planning guidance]

Vessel Incapacitating Power Effect Radiation (VIPER) Program is a Research and Development Based Operational Utility Assessment

The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) is issuing this sources sought and request for information synopsis as a means of conducting market research to identify parties having an interest to support the Vessel Incapacitating Power Effect Radiation (VIPER) program of the Joint Intermediate Force Capabilities Office (JIFCO). The VIPER program is a research and development-based Operational Utility Assessment (OUA) sponsored by the JIFCO that will provide a non-lethal, potentially reversible vessel stopping capability for the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Law Enforcement community. This approach provides a safer and more effective means to subdue non-compliant vessels within a dynamic environment.

Reports on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict

United Nations Assistance Mission: Afghanistan (UNAMA) prepares regular reports in accordance with its UN Security Council mandate, undertaking a range of activities aimed at minimizing the impact of the armed conflict on civilians. Since 2012, the reports have been prepared jointly with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Reports using a consistent methodology have been maintained since 2009. Note that earlier reports from 2007 and 2008 follow a previous reporting system and are included here for reference purposes only.

First Quarter, 2020 Report

Service-Related Non-Lethal Weapons Information

U.S. Navy Seal

National
Guard Bureau

U.S. Coast Guard

FOR POINTS OF CONTACT FOR EACH SERVICE REGARDING INTERMEDIATE FORCE CAPABILITIES, CLICK THE LINKS ABOVE OR CLICK THE CONTACT TAB AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE.

Intermediate Force Capabilities

Current Intermediate Force Capabilities

Developmental Intermediate Force Capabilities

Future Intermediate Force Capabilities

Intermediate Force Capabilities Weapons Training	Intermediate Force Capabilities Education	Unified Combatant Commands
Intermediate Force Capabilities and Requirements	Non-Lethal Human Effects	NATO Engagement

In the News

Army rapid prototyping office unveils headquarters

Sept. 9, 2020 - The Army officially opened the new headquarters of the Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office at Redstone Arsenal on Sept. 2 with a ribbon cutting and rededication ceremony. The move consolidates the RCCTO’s headquarters at Redstone, marking a new chapter for the organization that is responsible for executing rapid experimental prototypes and delivering residual combat capabilities to Soldiers in the areas of hypersonics, directed energy, Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft Systems and other disruptive technologies.

PEO Ships Maturing Systems Ahead of Large Surface Combatant Design Effort

Aug. 25, 2020 - The Program Executive Officer for Ships wants any future ship class to maximize the use of mature technologies and to establish land-based testing sites for any new and unproven systems, to buy down risk and allow for “credible” fielding timelines. Rear Adm. Tom Anderson said today that, coming into an era of flat budgets and a new force design that will likely call for several new ship classes to meet future needs, he had several concerns about how to approach ship acquisition in the near future.

Infantry receive Civil Response Training

Aug. 19, 2020 - Soldiers from the 1st Battalion 149th Infantry, participated in Civil Disturbance Response Training as part of their unit’s annual training at Harold L. Disney Training Center July 25- 28. The 1/149th was overseen by Soldiers from the 223rd, the 617th, and the 1103rd Military Police Companies.

Why Intermediate Force Capabilities?

Intermediate Force Capabilities (IFC) deliver discriminate and reversible effects without causing unnecessary destruction or loss of life. Skilled application of IFCs supports mission objectives by complementing lethal force without unintentionally initiating, escalating, or prolonging extensive (and expensive) hostilities.
Vision , Mission, Definition