USMC Concepts & Programs 2013 - Defense Innovation Marketplace

chapter 3: programs
field a wide range of non-lethal capabilities. All legal
and arms-compliance reviews must be completed before
fielding of non-lethal weapons.
In the 15 years since the program’s inception, the
need for non-lethal weapons, devices and munitions
— both counter-personnel and counter-materiel —
continues to grow in support of the multitude of DOD
missions being conducted around the world. Whether
engaged in counterterrorism, stability and reconstruction,
or anti-piracy operations, U.S. forces will need to
be adept at employing less-than-lethal techniques to
complement lethal capabilities and to have the means
to satisfy a critical tenet common to counterinsurgency
operations: protection of the population.
In recent years, the program has achieved success
in fielding programs of record and responding to urgent
operational needs. An array of non-lethal weapons,
devices, and munitions are available now for conducting
checkpoint operations, convoys, area security,
patrols, detainee operations, crowd control, maritime
operations, and other missions. Today’s non-lethal inventory
includes acoustic hailing devices, vehicle arresting
devices, electric stun guns, vehicle launched
grenades, multi-sensory munitions, optical distracters
and voice translation devices — all proven technologies
that provide reversible effects and applicability
across the spectrum of irregular operations.
Non-lethal weapons are explicitly designed and
primarily employed to incapacitate personnel or materiel
while minimizing fatalities, significant injury to
personnel, and undesired damage to property in the
target area or environment. Non-lethal capabilities
have matured from the days of riot batons and rubber
bullets, but much more needs to be done to increase
versatility and further expand the range of non-lethal
options available to U.S. forces. Several new or improved
capabilities are currently advancing through
the development process including the:
• Vehicle Arresting Device
• Improved Acoustic Hailing Device
• 12-Gauge Extended Range Marking Munition
• Mission Payload Module
• Airburst Non-Lethal Munition
• Improved Flash-Bang Grenade
• Green Laser Interdiction System
• Ocular Interruption Device
Additionally, extensive research has been conducted
on next generation non-lethal directed energy capabilities
that show great promise in providing vehicle
stopping, vessel stopping, and area denial applications
at extended ranges. The DOD Non-Lethal Weapons
Program is committed to supporting the U.S. Armed
Services with a wide range of proven non-lethal weapons,
munitions and devices to support full spectrum
operations in complex environments.
For more information, please visit: http://jnlwp.
defense.gov.
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