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NLW Technologies

This table provides an overview of existing and emerging technologies or systems that have been described as non-lethal weapons.

A version of the table that is more easily printed appears in the following article:
(External) Lewer, N. and Davison, N. (2005) Non-lethal technologies – an overview. Disarmament Forum [Science, technology and the CBW regimes] 2005, No. 1, pp. 36-51.

Technology Type(s) Description Delivery Target
Kinetic Energy
Impact projectiles
Airfoil; Baton (foam, plastic, rubber, sponge, wooden); Drag-stabilized (bean-bag); Encapsulated (water, dye, RCAs, malodorant); Fin-stabilized; Pads; Pellets (single, multiple small/large)
Gun, shotgun, launcher, mortar.
AP, AM

Water cannon
High-pressure jets (may be marked with dye; electrified; or have chemical irritant additive).
Vehicle mounted, backpack, or fixed-in-place systems.
AP
Barriers and Entanglements
Nets, chains, spikes
Spikes/strips of spikes, caltrops, barrier to stop vehicles; launched nets to snare people or tangle boat propellers. Rigid foams to block windows or doorways.
Net launchers For foam: hand-held, backpack or vehicle mounted tank with spray device.
AP, AM
Electrical
Stun weapons
Electrical incapacitation; stun guns, electrical baton, shield, net, water cannon, stun belt, mine/grenade. ‘Wireless’ systems under development for use against people or vehicle electronics.
From device: either direct contact with electrodes or remotely via wires and barbs. Wireless systems will use projectiles with capacitor or pulsed laser for delivery of shock.
AP, AM
Acoustic
Acoustic-Optical
Flash-bang/stun grenades produce loud noise and bright light
Grenades
AP

Acoustic generators
Devices that project audible, ultrasonic or infrasonic sound frequencies. May cause pain/discomfort, nausea, disorientation.
Acoustic generator devices – fixed, portable or hand-held.
AP

Vortex generators
Generator that projects a vortex of air at high speed – ‘acoustic projectile’. May also be used as a carrier or other substances such as chemical agents.
Vortex generator devices.
AP
Directed Energy
High-Power Microwave (HPM)
Radiofrequency (RF) energy designed to degrade or destroy electronic equipment. Electrical or explosive generation of energy.
Bomb/missile, fixed or portable device.
AM

Millimetre Wave
‘Beam’ directed at people heats up water molecules in surface of skin causing burning sensation, i.e.: ‘Active Denial System.’
Vehicle or aircraft mounted system.
AP

Laser (low energy)
Red and/or green diode lasers to temporarily blind or obscure vision known as ‘dazzlers’ or ‘illuminators’.
Aircraft or vehicle mounted systems under development. Desire for handheld systems in the future.
AP, AM

Laser (high energy)
Chemical laser systems for use against materiel (lethal if used against humans). eg: ‘Advanced Tactical Laser’. Pulsed chemical lasers to produce ‘shock wave’ to incapacitate people. eg: ‘Pulsed Energy Projectile’.
Aircraft or vehicle mounted systems under development. Desire for handheld systems in the future.
AP, AM
Chemical
Riot Control Agents(RCA)
Irritant chemicals (tear gas) - CS, CN, and CR. OC (biological origin) also known as ‘pepper spray’. PAVA is a synthetic version of OC. Aerosols or powdered form. Cause irritation of eyes and upper respiratory tract. Locally acting.
Shotgun cartridges, mortar shells, grenades, and spray devices. Frangible projectiles containing powdered RCA fired with launcher or existing gun. Airburst munitions under development.
AP

Malodorants
Foul-smelling chemicals used as RCA or to discourage access to an area.
As for RCA
AP

Anti-Traction Materials (ATM)
Lubricating polymers spread on ground or other surfaces to prevent access by people or vehicles.
Backpack or vehicle mounted tank with spray device.
AP, AM

Obscurants
Smokes to obscure vision. Dyes for underwater use.
Grenades, mortar shells.
AP

Foams
Rigid or sticky foams as a barrier (not for use directly against people because of risk of blocking airways). Aqueous foams as personnel barrier – chemical irritants could be added.
Spray devices.
AP

Anti-Materiel Chemicals
For use against structures or vehicles. Combustion modifiers, fuel contaminants, supercorrosives, embrittling agents, superadhesives, and depolymerisation agents have been proposed.
Direct deployment, spray device, or projectile containing substance.
AM

Defoliants/herbicides
Chemicals to kill crops or vegetation. Used in Vietnam (e.g. Agent Orange). Dangerous to human health – eg:. cancer causing dioxins in AO.
Sprayed from aircraft / crop duster.
Anti-Plant but extreme danger to human health.
Chemical / Biochemical
Incapacitants
[NOTE: Illegal under CWC and BTWC.]
Toxic chemical or biochemical agents acting on neuroreceptors in the central nervous system to cause sedation, disorientation, hallucination, mood changes, unconsciousness, and death. Delivered as aerosol. Distinct from RCAs. Centrally acting.
Aerosol delivery directly over an area with an aerosol generator or munitions/projectiles of a similar type to RCAs. Also possibility of injection as with sedation darts. Other routes e.g. transdermal have been suggested.
AP
Biological
Anti-Materiel Microorganisms
[ NOTE: Illegal under BTWC.]
Bacteria that degrade various materials – e.g. plastics, metal, etc.
Direct application with aerosol spray most likely.
AM

Anti-Crop Agents
[ NOTE: Illegal under BTWC.]
Fungi to kill drug crops such opium or cocoa plant.
Application with aerosol spray – most likely from aircraft/crop duster
Anti-Plant
Combined Technologies
Combining various non-lethal technologies.
Frangible projectiles containing chemicals (Kinetic and Chemical). Laser delivered ‘wireless’ electrical weapons. (DE and Electrical). Modified water cannon (Kinetic and Chemical/Electrical). ‘Multi-Sensory grenade’ (Acoustic-Optical & Chemical)
Various described above.
AP
Delivery Systems
Non-lethal Munitions
Non-lethal munitions (e.g. mortar shells) to disperse various payloads (aerosol, liquid, solid, powder). Airburst munitions.
Gun, launcher, mortar.
Depends on payload

Encapsulation / Microencapsulation
Encapsulation (‘painball-type projectiles) and microencapsulation (minute capsules) for delivery of chemical agents, such as RCAs, malodorants, dyes, and anti-traction materials.
Encapsulated projectiles – from launcher.
Microcapsules - from munition or direct application.
Depends on payload

Unmanned Vehicles
Unmanned: aerial vehicles (UAVs), surface watercraft (USVs), underwater vehicles (UUVs); ground vehicles (UGVs).
Deployed from unmanned platform.
Depends on payload

Note: AP=anti-personnel; AM=anti-materiel.

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