Nonlethality and American Land Power: Strategic Context and Operational Concepts

: As great changes taking place in the global security environment, American land power must be adapted to assure it can continue to protect and promote U.S. national interests. This requires the development and integration of a range of new technologies, concepts and organizations. Among these, nonlethality (using armed force in a way that minimizes casualties) shows promise for specialized applications. To that end, the authors discuss nonlethality of armed forces within its larger strategic context and explain how it is related to the revolution in military affairs. They then assess the arguments for and against the integration of nonlethality into American doctrine and procedures. Finally, they offer operational concepts which could serve as the basis for doctrine and for tactics, techniques, and procedures.