Non-Lethal Weapons Program

Illustration by JNLWD

Intermediate Force Capabilities: Bringing the Fight to the Gray Zone

Lethality is absolutely necessary, but not sufficient to effectively engage across the competition continuum. Intermediate force capabilities (IFCs) enable combat arms (ex: Infantry, Armor, surface combatants) and combat service support warfighters to bridge the gap between presence and lethal effects/intent. IFCs must complement lethal force to yield enduring strategic victories for our warfighters and the Nation.

Director's Presentation: Modern Day Marine USMC Gazette NLW Article by Col Leimbach About the JNLWD Director

Current Intermediate Force Capabilities

Developmental Intermediate Force Capabilities

Future Intermediate Force Capabilities

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

The law of land warfare handbook is now available as a ‘pocket guide’

Jan. 24, 2020 - The Army has issued a new 200-page handbook for general officers and judge advocates in the service as it looks to update a more than 60-year-old guide for ground-pounders that may find themselves wading through complex legalese. The manual, called the Commander’s Handbook on the Law of Land Warfare, is a fraction of the Defense Department’s 1200-page Law of War manual and a necessary update to the 1956 volume it replaces, according to service leadership.

NATO renews pledge to strengthen training on International Humanitarian Law

Dec. 16, 2019 - Last week in Geneva (9-12 December 2019), a NATO delegation attended the 33rd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, in an observer capacity. The Organization formally pledged to continue a substantive dialogue with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to identify areas where training and education provided by NATO on international humanitarian law may be further enhanced.

435th SFS bolsters global security

Dec. 14, 2019 - The 435th Security Forces Squadron hosted a security forces specialty training course to enhance defenders’ skillsets at the Ground Combat Readiness Training Center, Dec. 6 to 14. The Leader Led Training Course allowed defenders from around the Air Force to receive instructor certification in ground combat skills. Newly certified instructors returned home, creating a force multiplier for a standard training baseline across the security forces career field.

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