Development of Non-Lethal Weapon Mechanisms

There is groqing interest in non-lethal weapons. Minimization of U.S. forces and non-combatant casualties are primary personnel considerations. Other targets of interest include sensors, electronic systems, thermal sights, missile seekers, missile guidance, and TV's. Previous non-lethal weapon development has emphasized personnel targets, riots, and hostage situations. Civilian applications included kinetic energy weapons and electrical shock devices. Military developments have included riot control (chemical) agents and kinetic energy weapons. These weapon concepts have limitations and/or restrictions applied to combat situations. New concetps are needed for personnel targets. This innovation need is emphasized for consideration of electronic, electrooptic, and electronic targets. Acoustic, optical and electromagnetic effects have the greatest potential for multi-target uses in broad area applications. Enhancement techniques have been identified particularly for optical and EMP effects. Application scenarios will be defined. Non-lethal weapons concepts will be identified and quantified. Incapacitation requirements will be established. Interaction effectiveness of selected non-lethal mechanisms with selected targets will be predicted. Based on a relative merit index, recommendations will be made for Phase II development.