Personal Defense Weapon (Roll)

The PERSONAL DEFENSE WEAPON (ROLL) program is a line item within the Army's Procurement of Weapons and Tracked Combat Vehicles (W&TCV) budget, specifically under Budget Activity 02: Weapons and Other Combat Vehicles. The primary objective of this program is to procure and field the Launched Electronic Stun Device (LESD), a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) non-lethal weapon system. The LESD is designed to provide law enforcement, Special Forces, and Ranger Battalions with a non-lethal escalation of force capability. This enhances operational flexibility in situations where lethal force is neither appropriate nor desired.

The LESD operates by firing tethered probes that attach to a target and transmit an electrical charge, inducing electro-muscular incapacitation (EMI). This temporarily overrides the target's sensory and motor systems, allowing personnel to subdue individuals without causing permanent harm. The program's goals include equipping Army units with these devices to support a range of missions, including homeland defense, domestic emergency response, and military support to civil authorities. Procurement is justified under Section 1815 of the FY 2008 National Defense Authorization Act, which mandates the availability of non-lethal capabilities for active and reserve components.

For Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, the program requests base procurement funding to acquire LESDs. This funding also supports associated Fielding and New Equipment Training (NET), ensuring that units receiving the devices are adequately trained in their use. The Army's approach is to distribute LESDs across active, National Guard, and Reserve units, reflecting the need for non-lethal options in both domestic and overseas operations. Procurement quantities and funding levels are determined based on operational requirements and anticipated mission profiles.

Army Distribution focuses on equipping law enforcement and specialized units, such as Special Forces and Ranger Battalions, with LESDs to enhance their ability to respond to civil disturbances, conduct security operations, and support local authorities. The program also addresses the need for scalable force options in situations where traditional firearms may not be suitable. The Army's obligation authority for FY 2026 is allocated to ensure timely delivery and integration of these devices into unit inventories.

Army National Guard (ANG) and Army Reserve (AR) Distribution are also key components of the program. The ANG receives funding to support homeland defense and emergency response missions, with LESDs intended for use in scenarios such as disaster relief, crowd control, and support to civil law enforcement. The Army Reserve's allocation ensures that reserve units are similarly equipped for domestic operations and can augment active forces when required. The program's structure allows for flexibility in distribution based on changing mission demands and operational environments.

The justification for the PERSONAL DEFENSE WEAPON (ROLL) line item is rooted in the need to provide the Army and its components with effective, non-lethal tools for a variety of mission sets. The LESD's commercial availability and proven effectiveness in inducing temporary incapacitation make it a suitable choice for rapid procurement and fielding. By investing in these systems, the Army aims to improve force protection, reduce the risk of unintended casualties, and comply with legislative mandates for non-lethal capabilities.