摘要: Although American forces are superbly armed with lethal weapons to accomplishMOOTW, they possess little in the way on non-lethal weapons to accomplish missions that require the application of less than lethal force: as was evidenc... 展开 Although American forces are superbly armed with lethal weapons to accomplishMOOTW, they possess little in the way on non-lethal weapons to accomplish missions that require the application of less than lethal force: as was evidenced in Somalia during Operation Restore Hope. Technological advances in the area of non-lethal weaponry, however, now gives rise to the argument that these types of weapons, when used in concert with lethal weapons, are viable and important tools for enhancing operational success in future MOOTW. Advantages and disadvantages of non-lethal weapons must be carefully weighed in light of their potential for enhancing operational success in MOOTW. Critical factors such as: issues regarding risk, rules of engagement, restraint, legal ramifications, training, command and control, economics, and interoperability must also be closely examined to judge the potential effectiveness and impact that non-lethal weapons might have of determining success in MOOTW. In the overall operational scheme, non-lethal weapons will produce a synergistic effect by tying together all the principles of MOOTW: security, legitimacy, unity of effort, restraint, perseverance, and objective. Additionally, they enhance operational capability in MOOTW by bridging the gap between minimal force and lethal force. Consequently, it is justifiable that non-lethal weapons be available to operational commanders in future military operations other than war. 收起