In addition to the hand-held EMD, tests are being conducted on a non-lethal land mine version called the Taser Anti-Personnel Munition (TAPM). Unlike conventional land mines that are designed to be camouflaged, the TAPM is a perimeter protection passive defense system designed to be seen. It is brightly colored and conspicuously located to serve as a visual warning to any intruder that they are entering restricted territory. If the intruder fails to heed the visual warning, motion sensors trigger one or several EMD cartridges in its housing.

 

Advanced Tactical Laser (ATL). The ATL is an air-to-ground, high-power (100-kilowatt class) chemical oxygen iodine precision-guided laser. It is designed to shoot a 10-centimeter wide (about 4 inches) high-energy beam capable of slicing through metal and neutralizing a target such as a vehicle’s engine block up to 14-and-a-half kilometers (about 9 miles) away. Its ultra-precision capability makes it particularly useful in densely populated urban environments, such as open air markets, and congested chokepoints that are typical targets of terrorists and insurgents. An air-to-air variant designed for missile defense is also under development.

 

Non-Lethal Optical Distractors (NLOD). Also known as a dazzling laser, the NLOD temporarily overwhelms the targeted person’s visual sense using directional light energy to provide an obvious non-verbal warning. The effect, roughly, is similar to what happens when a driver rounds a curve and is suddenly struck by sunlight glare hitting a windshield. One such laser dazzler is the SaberShot Photonic Disruptor, a low-power device using 250 Mw of 532 nm green-laser. It is available in three models: hand-held (about the size of a pistol), weapon-mounted, or as a grenade. The laser’s optics temporarily expand to generate a blinding light that can penetrate smoke or fog at twice the range of white light. It is particularly useful against drivers in approaching vehicles, snipers, or RPG operators. In contrast to the hand-held and weapon-mounted models, which are aimed, the grenade type of laser dazzler emits in rapid succession dazzling rays with 360-degree coverage, and is designed to be most effective in confined spaces such as corridors and hallways or small rooms.

 

Thermal Laser System (TLS). As its name suggests, this laser system is designed to create an uncomfortable burning sensation on intruders’ skin, forcing them to stop and turn away. Research is being conducted to develop small, compact lasers that can be integrated with ruggedized rifle systems.

 

Distributed Sound and Light Array (DSLA). This is a non-lethal acoustical and optical weapon under development that combines a distributed, high-output, phased acoustic array and a distributed, high-output, coherent (laser)/non-coherent (bright white light) optical array. The two-stage function would begin by attracting the intruder’s attention with a low-level light array followed up with hailing/warning instructions in the native language. If the intruder fails to heed the instructions, or retreat, the sound and light arrays increase in power and intensity. In both cases, this means higher pitched sounds and laser-disrupter light dazzlers designed to significantly degrade the target’s ability to function, or drive him away.

The sound array beam is emitted by a Target High-Output Responder-16S (THOR-16S) acoustic projector. It can be projected in either a highly focused narrow beam or in a wide, spread pattern. It has low-frequency acoustic capability that enables the sound energy to penetrate vehicles, vessels, and buildings even if there is significant high-frequency background noise.

The light array part of the system is composed of a green laser dazzler disruptor and two high-power search lights and high-power spotlights that project bright white light. At high intensity levels it can temporarily blind an individual or so obscure a vehicle’s windshield that the driver is incapable of seeing anything in front of him.

 

Radio-Frequency Vehicle Stopper (RFVS). This is another example of a counter-material system. Presently in the prototype stage and targeted for completion in 2013, its purpose is to use high-power radio-frequency energy to create electromagnetic interference fields that disrupt an approaching vehicle’s electronic systems, causing the engine to stop. Variants under development include stationary units that can be deployed at security checkpoints, and mobile, vehicle-mounted systems.

To make sure that these new systems are used properly, JNLWP has created the Inter-service Non-lethal Individual Weapons Instructor Course (INIWIC). This is a rigorous two-week course conducted at training facilities at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and by special mobile training teams. Upon graduation, in addition to having received training in the use of a variety of non-lethal weapons, the individual is also a certified instructor who is the expert for a unit commander on non-lethal tactics, techniques, and procedures. JNLWP conducts about 10 resident courses annually, certifying more than 400 instructors. JNLWP also conducts educational programs for senior military officers and government personnel at the service war colleges and other locations to keep everyone abreast of the latest developments.

Though great advances have been made in the development and use of non-lethal weapons, Col. Tracy J. Tafolla, USMC, director, Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Directorate, acknowledged that “much work is yet to be done.” He added, “Material solutions alone are not the answer. We must also improve our training of non-lethal weapons and devices during pre-deployment training escalation-of-force continuum scenarios. Well-equipped and -trained forces that can think through complex situations are the keys to success.”

This article was first published in Marine Corps Outlook: 2010-2011 Edition.