FM 3-19.4 - Army Electronic Publications & Forms - U.S. Army

FM 3-19.4
Use Nonlethal Weapons (NLW)
3-17. The Department of Defense (DOD) defines NLW
as weapons that are explicitly designed and primarily
employed to incapacitate personnel or material while
minimizing fatalities, permanent injury to personnel,
and undesired damage to property and the environment.
Unlike conventional weapons that destroy the targets
principally through blast, penetration, and
fragmentation, NLW employ means other than gross
physical destruction to prevent the target from
functioning.
3-18. NLW doctrine and concepts of operation are
designed to reinforce deterrence and expand the range of
options available to commanders. They enhance the
capability of US forces to accomplish the following
objectives:
• Discourage, delay, or prevent hostile actions.
• Limit escalation.
• Take military action in situations where use of
lethal force is not the preferred option.
• Protect US forces.
• Disable equipment, facilities, and personnel
temporarily.
NOTE: The zero probability of producing fatalities
or permanent injuries is not a requirement of
NLW. However, while complete avoidance of these
effects is not guaranteed or expected, when
properly employed, NLW significantly reduce
them as compared with physically destroying the
same target.
3-19. When drafting the ROE, it must be clearly
articulated and understood that the role of NLW is an
additional means of employing force for the particular
purpose of limiting the probability of death or serious
injury to noncombatants or belligerents. However, the
use of deadly force must always remain an inherent
Shoot, Move, and Communicate 3-9