Non-Lethal Weapons Program

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JNLWD Director Writes Article for USMC Gazette

The Director of the Joint Non-Lethal Weapons DIrectorate, Co Wendell Leimbach, recently wrote an article for the August 2019 issue of the Marine Corp Gazette. The article, titled “Non-Lethal Weapons: Will Marines Ever Use this Capability?”, explores the history of Non-Lethal Weapons (NLW) and the growing understanding and acceptance of their utility as intermediate force tools. The article discusses NLW use in high intensity conflict, and goes on to describe the future of NLW.

JNLWD Director Director's Article

Current
Non-Lethal Weapons

Developing
Non-Lethal Weapons

Future
Non-Lethal Weapons

What's New?

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 Non-Lethal Weapons Directorate (JNLWD). The VIPER program is a research and development-based Operational Utility Assessment (OUA) sponsored by the JNLWD 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.

Link to Federal Business Opportunity Announcement

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, 2019 Report

PEVS system demonstrated for distinguished visitors

A car drives across the Pre-Emplaced Electric Vehicle Stopper to demonstrate its non-lethal stopping method on Feb. 13 in front of Tinker Air Force Base, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and Ellsworth Air Force Base personnel, as well as members of the DOD Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Directorate and a representative from Oklahoma Senator James Inhofe’s office. Besides PEVS being a non-lethal, scalable way of stopping unauthorized vehicles at entry control points, it is also a lower-cost and easier to maintain system. After a six-month pilot program at Tinker, the PEVS system may continue its trials at extreme cold weather and desert locations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Kelly White)

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Department of Defense Issues New Report on Civilian Casualty Policy

On February 1, 2019, the DOD issued a new report on civilian casualty policy. Among other things, the report directed that the Undersecretary of Defense for Policy name a senior civilian official, at or above the level of an Assistant Secretary of Defense to develop, coordinate, and oversee compliance with the policy of the Department relating to civilian casualties resulting from United States military operations.

Click here to read the full report

In the News

Non-Lethal Weapons? Will Marines ever use this capability?

Aug. 1, 2019 - I used to believe that a question had an obvious answer. The United States military is the world’s most feared and lethal fighting force with the Marines being among the most aggressive warriors within that force. Beyond crowd control during peacekeeping in lieu of (ILO) operations, considering the tactical employability of non-lethal weapons (NLW) as a young combat arms officer seemed irrelevant and impractical. As a tank officer, and more recently as an acquisitions program manager, I spent the majority of my career enhancing the lethality of the Corps. Given the importance of strengthening warfighting capabilities with limited time and resources, the significance of NLW, even for kinetic and potentially lethal operations, was not immediately intuitive. However, once I moved beyond conceptualizing NLW as essential equipment for only Marine Security Guards and military police, it did not take long for me to understand their utility, relevance, and importance across the spectrum of conflict.

U.S. Naval Academy Midshipman Sees Fleet’s Future at Dahlgren’s Laser Lethality Lab

July 29, 2019 - U.S. Naval Academy Midshipman Max Shuman faced a half dozen Navy officer and civilian engineers while reflecting on lessons learned as his internship concluded at Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD).

Services Report Progress on Directed Energy Programs

June 19, 2019 - With promises to reduce cost per shot and provide unlimited magazines, each of the services are betting their directed energy technology can give them an edge on the battlefield. The Navy, Air Force, Army and other organizations all have ongoing programs and are reporting progress.

Service-Related Non-Lethal Weapons Information

U.S. Navy Seal

National
Guard Bureau

U.S. Coast Guard

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