Weapons system
According to the United States Department of Defense, a weapon system means
A combination of one or more weapons with all related equipment, materials, services, personnel, and means of delivery and deployment (if applicable) required for self-sufficiency.US Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms, Joint Publication 1-02, 8 November 2010, as amended through 15 October 2013, available at: http://www.dtic.mil/doctrine/dod_dictionary/. See also Commentary on the HPCR Manual on International Law Applicable to Air and Missile Warfare, http://ihlresearch.org/amw/Commentary%20on%20the%20HPCR%20Manual.pdf, pp. 41-2.
For the purpose of the Encyclopaedia the following working definition is used:
A weapons system is a device or coordinated set of devices or objects that consists of one or more weapons and a means of delivery as well as integral equipment and materiel. A weapons system is distinguished from a weapon in that while it incorporates one or more weapons in many instances it can also be used for other purposes than killing, injuring, disorienting, or threatening a person or inflicting damage on a physical object. For instance, an aircraft can conduct surveillance and a ship can transport personnel and materiel.
Last updated on: 30 November 2013