Non-Lethal Weapons Program

U.S. Central Command Public Affairs photo by Tom Gagnier

Non-Lethal Weapons Demonstrated to Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Mr. Paul Burke, Joint Non-lethal Weapons Directorate liaison to U.S. Special Operations Command, explains non-lethal weapons capabilities to players from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during a military appreciation event at U.S. Central Command headquarters, Oct. 30, 2018.

USSOCOM CENTCOM

Current
Non-Lethal Weapons

Developing
Non-Lethal Weapons

Future
Non-Lethal Weapons

What's New?

NEW VEHICLE STOPPER TRIALS BEGIN AT TINKER AIR FORCE BASE

Tinker Air Force Base will install and test the Pre-emplaced Electric Vehicle Stopper (PEVS) prototype, an enhanced security system developed by the Dept. of Defense Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Directorate and U.S. Navy, at an entry control point this week. PEVS will be integrated into the base’s robust security measures as part of a pilot program to stop unauthorized vehicles effectively and safely.

When activated, PEVS can slow or arrest a vehicle’s momentum, allowing base defenders to better determine the intent of vehicle drivers before using lethal force by expanding decision time and space.

This novel prototype helps the Joint Force meet National Defense Strategy objectives with practical perimeter security tools that also minimize civilian casualties and collateral damage.

“Ongoing assessments of the prototype will influence the design of a more suitable and reliable solution for force-protection missions and a smaller and lighter model for force-application missions,” said Josh Pompeii, PEVS project manager.

Upon completion of the pilot program, there is a possibility for further demonstrations and adoption Air Force-wide.

Non-lethal counter-materiel capabilities like PEVS prevent unauthorized entry while protecting servicemembers, vehicle occupants, and critical infrastructure by stopping vehicles at long standoff ranges using safe, less expensive, and relatively reversible effects.

In the News

Small businesses demonstrate military technologies; interact with end users during annual Tech Warrior event

Oct. 4, 2018 - Thirty-nine small businesses participated in Operation Tech Warrior, a 10-day, 24-hour immersion event hosted by the Air Force Research Laboratory. The National Center for Medical Readiness hosted this annual event in Fairborn, Ohio from Sept. 18-28. Under contract with the Small Business Innovative Research Office, the NCMR transformed itself into a fully functional deployment environment. Tech Warrior participants stayed on site in bare base conditions and received intense training in field, mobility and combat skills over a span of nearly two weeks.

Getting Beyond Door Kicking: Four Tasks for Urban Warriors

Sept. 18, 2018 - Large numbers of civilians, while not a training task, are a characteristic of urban operations. They will almost always be present and should be a part of every training scenario. Some trainers will argue that the presence of civilians on the battlefield is a condition that should only be added after achieving proficiency in urban warfighting basics. I argue that civilians should be a consideration at the lowest level of urban training and not reserved for scenarios of increased complexity. Despite attempts to empty cities of their residents, as in the battles for Aachen and Fallujah, there are always people that stay. The urban battlefield will be full of civilians and soldiers should confront the challenge they pose to combat operations early in their training. This can be accomplished with little resources. It does not require costly role-playing contractors. We use soldiers to act as the opposing force, and they can just as easily play noncombatants.

716th Military Police Battalion: Military police officers train to keep Fort Campbell safe

Sept. 13, 2018 - LETS, a three-week course, incorporates classroom and hands-on training. Classroom instruction includes effective techniques on how to conduct routine and high-risk traffic stops, standard field sobriety tests, access control point operations, RADAR/LIDAR training, non-lethal weapons training, as well as review of the laws and regulations for Fort Campbell.

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

Why Non-Lethal Weapons?

Non-lethal weapons can provide operating forces with escalation-of-force options that can
minimize casualties and collateral damage.

Vision Mission Definition