Accession Number:

ADA379171

Title:

The Utility of Non-Lethal Weapons in Large-Scale Conflict

Descriptive Note:

Final rept.

Corporate Author:

NAVAL WAR COLL NEWPORT RI

Personal Author(s):

• Barrett, Benjamin K.

Report Date:

2000-02-08

Pagination or Media Count:

21.0

Abstract:

The increasing involvement of United States armed forces in Military Operations Other Than War has intensified calls for weapons that would fill the gap between Flexible Deterrent Options and application of lethal force. The effort and expense required to develop and field these proposed non-lethal weapons requires that their utility throughout the spectrum of conflict be considered. This paper presents an analysis of the positive and negative impacts of non-lethal weapons on three operational functions command and control, fires, and intelligence. The possible restrictions current international law would place on the use of these proposed weapons are also discussed. The analysis suggests that non-lethal weapons could create so many difficulties for the operational commander that their utility in large scale conflict would be minimal, and that scarce resources and budgets might be better directed towards increasing the accuracy of current precision-guided weapons.

Descriptors:

• *WEAPONS
• *WARFARE
• *LETHALITY
• MILITARY FORCES(UNITED STATES)
• MILITARY OPERATIONS
• IMPACT
• ACCURACY
• COSTS
• COMMAND AND CONTROL SYSTEMS
• PRECISION
• CONFLICT
• BUDGETS
• GUIDED WEAPONS
• INTERNATIONAL LAW
• DETERRENCE
• NONLETHAL WEAPONS

Subject Categories:

• Military Operations, Strategy and Tactics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE