text: Chapter 2
  An objective in war is to impose destruction upon the military forces of the enemy and other military
  objectives that contribute to its ability to wage war. The prohibition of weapons calculated to cause
  superfluous injury is not intended to limit the legitimate pursuit of those objectives through the employment
  of lawful weapons against lawful targets. This principle does not prohibit bringing a preponderance of force
  on an opposing military force in order to subdue or destroy it.
  In summary, in determining whether a weapon causes superfluous injury, a legal review includes all
  of the following:
  * An evaluation of the military necessity of the weapon;
  * An analysis of the intended results of its use (including design, that is, what it is designed to do,
  and intended employment, that is, how it is intended to be used in combat); and
  * A comparison of the weapon with lawful comparable weapons already in use.
  Inherently Indiscriminate Weapons
  A fundamental principle of LOAC is that in the application of force, a nation’s military forces must
  direct their attacks against enemy military objectives and, furthermore, must distinguish these military
  objectives from the civilian population, individual civilians not taking a direct part in hostilities, and civilian
  objects. Only combatants, civilians taking a direct part in hostilities, and other military objectives may be
  targeted.
  The principle of distinction in targeting requires that the weapon be capable of being directed against
  a military objective. “Capable of being directed” does not require terminal guidance to the target or use of
  the most precise weapon under all circumstances. It does, however, prohibit “blind weapons.” Such weapons
  cannot, with any reasonable assurance, be directed against a military objective. Indiscriminate weapons also
  include those that are essentially random in their effects and would be as likely to hit civilians as combatants.
  RELIANCE ON LEGAL REVIEWS FOR WEAPONS
  Soldiers and Marines may presume a weapon to be lawful, that is, consistent with LOAC and arms
  control obligations of the United States, if it has received the requisite legal review and has been issued in
  accordance with relevant regulations of the military service concerned. Questions regarding the legality of a
  particular weapon, weapon system, or munition should be addressed to the appropriate legal officer
  responsible for the legal review as identified in paragraph 2-202.
  The application of LOAC related to specific targeting issues will often be addressed at the time of
  employment, to be determined by the on-scene commander under the circumstances ruling at the time. Such
  issues do not determine the lawfulness of the weapon, weapon system, or munition provided for in the legal
  review (see DOD Law of War Manual, 6.1.1). The commander authorizing a weapon’s use must consider its
  characteristics, whether civilians are present, and other factors in order to ensure consistency with mission
  Rules of Engagement and LOAC proscriptions on directing attacks at civilians not taking a direct part in
  hostilities or who otherwise do not pose a threat to U.S. forces.