Department of Defense Nonlethal Weapons and Equipment Review

Appendix B
Glossary
Acoustic weapons. Devices that emit sonic frequencies causing sensations such as debilitating
dizziness, motion sickness, and nausea. These devices can also generate vibrations of body
organs and result in extreme pain, seizures, and even death.
Commercial off-the-shelf. Commercial items available for purchase on the open market.
Electrical weapons. Devices that stun target individuals with an incapacitating high-voltage,
very low current, short-duration electrical shock.
Entanglement weapons. Used to entangle feet, tracked vehicles, and the outboard motors of
boats. Entanglement weapons may be disbursed by a net gun that can entangle a human or
vehicular target. One such net is 18 feet wide and has glue-coated strands. Another is 28 feet
wide and, when fired from a cannon, can envelop a car or armored vehicle. Nets also may be
electrified to release an electric shock when the assailant struggles.
Executive agent. Serves as primary point of contact for nonlethal weapons within DoD,
coordinates nonlethal weapons requirements of warfighting commanders, provides oversight
for all nonlethal weapons policy issues, and ensures coordination between acquisition and
requirements communities.
Integrated Product Team. Principal role is to serve as the Joint Service representative body
in establishing and directing DoD nonlethal weapons programs for joint doctrine, professional
training, materiel requirements, research and development, and acquisition-related activities.
Joint Coordination and Integration Group. Acts in an oversight capacity, reviewing and
recommending approval to the Integrated Product Team for new starts or the termination of
unsuccessful efforts. Also coordinates and integrates nonlethal weapons programs supported by
the Joint Nonlethal Weapons Program. The Joint Coordination and Integration Group catalogs
and tracks progress of independent and joint nonlethal weapons programs, looking for
efficiencies and leveraging opportunities.
Joint Mission Area Analysis. A thorough, end-to-end analysis of the potential contributions
of nonlethal capabilities to the U.S. military. The Joint Mission Area Analysis supports the
requirements generation system and outlines core capabilities.
Joint Nonlethal Weapons Directorate. Established to execute and manage the Joint Nonlethal
Weapons Program and to implement operational structure. Manages the day-to-day activities and
provides support to the Integrated Product Team. Ensures that funding efficiencies are in place
and approaches among the divisions are coordinated and maintained. Also combines military,
civil service, and support personnel tasked to implement and maintain an aggressive, energetic,
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