NCJ Number
142482
Journal
Defense Electronics Dated: (February 1993) Pages: 41-46
Date Published
1993
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Most of the nonlethal weapons that will be produced as a result of current research under the U.S. Department of Defense are at least a decade away from fielding, but prototypes of some are already being put through their first paces.
Abstract
One of the technologies being examined by the Army's Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center, in conjunction with the Los Alamos National Laboratory, is optical munitions, which are designed to disrupt enemy sensors in a nonlethal manner while minimizing collateral damage. Another nonlethal technology consists of high-power microwave projectiles, which will be used to disrupt the ability of an opposing force to maintain situation-awareness levels at the command level and below sufficient to engage in combat. A third technology, acoustic beams, would be useful in protecting facilities such as overseas embassies and bases. an acoustic "bullet" would incapacitate by creating plasma in front of the target, which creates an impact wave that is just like a blunt object. In addition, pulsed chemical lasers would create a hot, high pressure plasma in the air in front of a target surface, producing a blast wave that will result in variable but controlled effects on material and personnel. Laser dye rods, carried by a 40-millimeter artillery shell, would create an exceptionally intense flash that would blind surrounding electro-optical sensors and personnel. A turf battle at the highest levels of the Department of Defense has hampered the speedy development of nonlethal weaponry. There is the issue of who should be given the job of developing nonlethal weapons and the question of how and when to initiate efforts to expand strategic doctrines and training to encompass the additional options presented by nonlethal weaponry. Such weapons could provide an additional deterrent effect, for example, in combatting drug trafficking. Since military personnel do not currently use lethal force to incapacitate aircraft carrying drugs, smugglers often escape. Nonlethal incapacitation of aircraft could both increase deterrence and apprehension. Some options for the Clinton Administration in the development of nonlethal weaponry are discussed.