Department of Defense Nonlethal Weapons and Equipment Review

and forward-looking nonlethal weapons program. In addition, serves as the DoD single point
of contact for liaison with foreign entities on matters of mutual interest concerning nonlethal
weapons.
Less-lethal weapons. Weapons primarily designed to temporarily disable or stop suspects
without killing, thereby providing law enforcement and corrections personnel with an alternative
to lethal force where appropriate.
Light-based weapons. Weapons consisting of a laser intended to overload, destroy, or degrade
optics or target acquisition electronics from the air, sea, or land. Also included are high-intensity
lights designed to temporarily blind an aggressor.
Marine Expeditionary Unit. A Marine air-ground task force that is constructed around a
reinforced infantry battalion, a reinforced helicopter squadron, and a task-organized combat
service support element. It normally fulfills Marine Corps forward sea-based deployment
requirements. The Marine Expeditionary Unit provides an immediate reaction capability for
crisis response and is capable of limited combat operations.
Nonlethal Capabilities Set (NLCS). Generally comprises four categories of items: protective
equipment, weapons and munitions, communication enhancement and other devices, and training
devices. The primary focus of NLCS components is on counterpersonnel capabilities, area
denial, and deterrent capabilities for personnel and vehicles. The NLCS components are ideally
suited for use against noncombatants whose presence or acts jeopardize a unit’s ability to
accomplish its assigned mission.
Nonlethal projectile weapons. These include fabric sacks filled with lead shot (beanbag
projectiles) that are designed to be fired from 12-gauge shotguns and 37 mm (40 mm) launchers.
The bags conform to the shape of the target on impact, producing less damage than a solid hard
projectile. Rubber and wooden projectiles also are delivered from riot guns to disperse unruly
crowds.
Nonlethal weapons. These are explicitly designed and primarily used to incapacitate personnel
and materiel while minimizing fatalities, permanent injury to personnel, and undesired damage to
property and the environment.
Oleoresin capsicum (OC). Also known as pepper spray, this food product is obtained from chili
peppers that have been dried and ground into a fine powder. When mixed with an emulsifier,
such as a mineral, vegetable, soy oil, or water, it may be sprayed from a variety of dispensers and
used as an irritant to safely control violent people or vicious animals and/or to restore and
maintain order.
Operational testing and evaluation. The testing and analysis of a specific end item or
system, as far as practicable under service operating conditions, to determine whether quantity
production is warranted considering the increase in military effectiveness to be gained and its
effectiveness compared with currently available items or systems. Consideration is given to
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