Non-Lethal Technologies: Implications for Military Strategy

Historically, militaries have sought to increase lethality of weapons to better achieve military success and political objectives. This approach may not be the most effective means to achieve sustainable stability in current political environment. Political, societal, and operational factors have limited the effective use of traditional military response. Emerging non-lethal weapon technologies may offer the means to decisively confront today s security dilemmas. The current interest in non-lethal weaponry is primarily centered on employment during close-in tactical engagements for peace-keeping and peace-enforcement missions. This assessment will continue the debate and examine the issue from a broader perspective. Specifically, are non-lethal weapons technologies an effective weapon to achieve military and political objectives across the spectrum of conflict. The paper will examine potentials of non-lethal doctrine by assessing the emerging characteristics of U.S. security policy, identify the unique competencies of nonlethal weapons, then evaluate the ponderables of employment of non-lethal tools. Finally, military employment options for non-lethal weapons will be examined. Conclusions will identify high payoff non-lethal technologies and its implications for Air Force doctrine and strategies.