Area denial weapons
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Area denial weapons are used to prevent an adversary from occupying or traversing an area of land. The most common are land mines of various types.
The massive use of defoliants such as Agent Orange can be considered as an interdiction measure because, at their highest concentration use, they leave areas empty of any form of vegetation cover. In the desert-like terrain that ensues, it is impossible for an adversary to travel without being seen, and there is nothing much left for taking cover in case of an attack.
Other area denial methods include the fallout from nuclear weapons as well as chemical agents that are by design non-degrading, such as the nerve agent VX.
In medieval warfare, sharp and sturdy stakes were buried at the bottom of long lines of ditches, pointed end up diagonally, in order to prevent cavalry charges in a given area. The correct layout of these extensive lines of ditches and the quality control of stake size, form and placement (they had to be big and sturdy enough to impale a very heavy horse) was part of the craft of war. Even if the stakes were spotted soldiers would be forced to dismount and effectively give up their purpose as cavalry as well as becoming easy targets. The anti-infantry punji stick is similar.
See also
- Salting the earth
- Sea denial
- Active Denial System, non-lethal energy weapon system
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