The Non-Lethal Technologies Against the Terrorism

Abstract

The fight against contemporary terrorism involves variety of situations in which terrorists are mixed with or are in immediate vicinity to the citizens. Use of conventional weapons in such environment often results in high levels of unintended casualties and destruction. Non-lethal technologies, having reversible effects on people, equipment and infrastructure, can significantly contribute to prevention and countering terrorist actions while minimizing collateral damage. The article is an attempt to present in a synthesized brief form the results of a several-years study on the current and potential applications of non-lethal means in the terrorist threats defense and counteraction. The capabilities of both non-lethal weapons used for decades as well as some modern solutions and emerging technologies for protection of infrastructural sites and valuable assets and in counter-terrorism operations have been considered.