AR 27-53 — Legal Review Of Weapons And Weapon Systems
AR 27-53 governs legal review of weapons and weapon systems, including cyber weapons, during intended development, acquisition, procurement, and fielding.
- Publication number: AR 27-53
- Title: LEGAL REVIEW OF WEAPONS AND WEAPON SYSTEMS
- Date: 09/23/2019
- Proponent: TJAG
- Status: ACTIVE
View AR 27-53 on armypubs.army.mil
It requires written review requests to identify the weapon, intended use, and reasonably anticipated effects, with supporting technical analyses. Reviews address superfluous injury, indiscriminate effects, prohibited weapon classes, and legal restrictions on intended use.
Topics covered
- Legal review requests
- Cyber weapons
- Weapon development and acquisition
- Intended weapon use
- Law of war compliance
- Prohibited weapon classes
Questions and answers
What information must a weapon legal review request include?
All such requests will include, at a mini mum (1) A general description of the weapon or weapon system, including cyber weapon or cyber weapon system, submitted for legal review. (2) The intended use of the weapon or weapon system, including cyber weapon or cyber weapon system. (3) The reasonably anticipated effects of employment of the weapon and weapon system, including cyber weapon or cyber weapon system. (paragraph 4)
How far in advance must a weapon legal review request be submitted?
A PEO/PM or procuring agency or command shall submit requests for legal reviews of weapons and weapon systems, including cyber weapons and cyber weapon systems to TJAGs designee at least 30 days prior to the milestone review (B or C, as appropriate), in the case of developmental items, or execution of a procurement contract, in the case of off-theshelf or non-developmental items to be procured. (paragraph 4)
Can a weapon receive another legal review later in its lifecycle?
TJAGs designee may require a further legal review of any weapon, weapon system, cyber weapon, or cyber weapon system at subsequent stages of development, procurement, fielding or employment if determined to be appropriate. (paragraph 4)
What does a legal review of a weapon have to determine?
A legal review of the acquisition or procurement of a weapon or weapon system, including cyber weapons or cyber weapon systems, conducted under this regulation will include, at a minimum (1) Whether the weapons intended use is calculated to cause superfluous injury/unnecessary suffering; (2) Whether the weapon is inherently indiscriminate; and (3) Whether the weapon falls within a class of weapons that has been specifically prohibited. (paragraph 8)
Can a weapon be developed or fielded without the required legal review?
No weapon or weapon system, including cyber weapons and cyber weapon systems, which requires a legal review under the provisions of this regulation will be developed, procured, otherwise acquired, fielded, or employed without the requisite legal review. (paragraph 8)