Analysis of Non-lethal Directed Energy Weapon Employed in Area Denial Mission Scenario

Abstract

Project Summary: The operational threat environment is becoming more complex and uncertain as threat capabilities materialize and re-emerge from near-peer military competitors. A need for increased mission effectiveness, against a dynamic and technologically equal adversary, requires the development of new capabilities to defeat these emerging threats. Those uncertainties extend to the United States and regional security partners that may be susceptible to amphibious attack resulting in the need for an Operational Littoral Defense System (OLDS). Strategically significant amphibious operations will play an increasingly critical role in the projection of power and control in battle-space environments. OLDS attempts to deter, disrupt, and deny enemy forces from completing their amphibious operation. Non-lethal weapons (NLW) systems that are currently in service and/or under development by the Department of Defense (DoD) Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Program (JNLWP) are employed within OLDS and utilized in conjunction with lethal weapon systems to support defensive operations of an amphibious operating area by increasing lethality, reducing potential casualties, and increasing mission effectiveness. This study of NLW systems within OLDS addressed the impact of NLW systems in a traditional conflict scenario, provided insight to potential operational capabilities enhanced by NLW, and analyzed potential effects to lethality, survivability, and mission effectiveness.