Limited Utility of Non-Lethal Weapons in Decisive Combat: War Still Means Fighting and Fighting Still Means Killing

摘要

As the technology associated with Non-Lethal Weapons (NLWs) continues to mature there will be growing pressure to use NLWs in future combat operations. However, the use of NLWs in decisive combat operations provides little operational benefit and would likely increase overall risk to mission accomplishment. While the use of NLWs is appropriate at the lower end of the conflict spectrum, the use of NLWs in decisive combat operations would produce unrealistic expectations that the United States military will be unlikely to meet. Additionally, the temporary and reversible effects of NLWs will unnecessarily complicate combat operations, deplete friendly combat power and fail to convince the enemy that he is defeated. To mitigate these operational drawbacks, commanders must not convey the notion that NLWs can produce a bloodless victory within the context of decisive combat operations. The nature of war has not changed and will not change war will require lethal application of force. We must not be apologetic about our use of deadly force when the circumstances require it. We must prepare for the use of deadly force and promptly apply that lethal force in order to decisively defeat an adversary's capability and will to wage war.