Air-Delivered Non-Lethal Weapons in Counterinsurgency Operations

As the United States Air Force attempts to define its role in counterinsurgency operations it must consider the changing character of warfare in the twenty first century. Increasingly urban, ideological and increasingly visible throughout the world, future wars will require expert delivery of non-lethal weapons technologies. Aircraft have some inherent advantages as delivery systems for these technologies. Soldiers on the ground are already overburdened both physically and sometimes psychologically. They carry heavy weapons and force protection equipment as the physical burden, while making split second decisions which not only influence the strategic course of the war, but also influence life and death. Focusing on the delivery of non-lethal weapons will revitalize the Air Force close support mission which has often been too lethal and caused significant collateral damage, or not lethal at all in using attack aircraft in strictly reconnaissance roles. Air-delivered non-lethal weapons will bridge an important gap in capabilities for forces on the ground and assist in a coherent, and effective counterinsurgency strategy at all levels of war.