Non-Lethal Weapons Program

Department of Defense Image

Irregular Warfare Annex to the National Defense Strategy

The Dept. of Defense’s Irregular Warfare Annex to the National Defense Strategy aims to institutionalize irregular warfare as a core competency for both conventional and special operations forces. These efforts, including the development of Intermediate Force Capabilities, will sustain the Joint Force’s ability to impose costs and create dilemmas for our adversaries across the full spectrum of competition and conflict.

2020 IW Annex PDF Document 2018 NDS PDF

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

MSCoE Sends: Celebrating 21 years of MSCoE

Oct. 1, 2020 - Each year, the three regiments that call Fort Leonard Wood home spend a very special time with their Soldiers, leaders, families and veterans celebrating their history and heritage. The birthdates of the regiments are: June 16, 1776, for Engineers; June 28, 1918, for Chemical; and Sept. 26, 1941, for Military Police. Although the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence is not a regiment, a branch or a school, it is the organization that proudly executes critical missions for the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, the Army and the Department of Defense. On Oct. 1, we celebrate MSCoE’s 21st anniversary.

NSWC Dahlgren Software Team Recognized with Award for Impact on Laser Systems

Sept. 24, 2020 - Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) leaders honored a team of computer scientists and engineers in a virtual awards ceremony for developing software to safely enable the operation of multiple lasers. NSWCDD Commanding Officer Capt. Casey Plew and NSWCDD Technical Director John Fiore recognized the command’s Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) Agnostic Software team with the Award of Merit for Group Achievement in a video presentation released to the workforce on July 27. U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman joined Plew and Fiore in the video broadcast to congratulate individual and group awardees, including the GFE Agnostic Software team for their work to deliver quality software products for use in laser weapon systems.

Partnerships strengthen security forces capabilities

Sept. 15, 2020 - Through an innovative acquisition model developed by the Air Force Installation Contracting Center, the Air Force Security Forces Center is now able to procure gear and resources for security forces Airmen much faster.

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