Abstract: A surgical instrument and associated method for controlling clamping force of a surgical instrument includes an end effector having a jaw assembly movable between an open state and a closed state, a trigger assembly operable to move the jaw assembly of the end effector between the open state and the closed state, and a clamping force augmentation system controllable to increase a clamping force of the jaw assembly of the end effector. A controller of the surgical instrument is configured to activate the clamping force augmentation system to increase the clamping force of the jaw assembly of the end effector in response to an RF mode of the surgical instrument being activated and (ii) the position sensor indicating that the present state of the jaw assembly is in the closed state.