It’s been talked about for years. But the Pentagon’s microwave-like pain ray may finally be headed to Iraq, Inside the Army reports.
Developed by the Air Force, the so-called “Active Denial System” (ADS) fires out milimeter waves — a sort of cousin of microwaves, in the 95 GHz range. The invisible beams penetrate just a 64th of inch beneath the skin. But that’s deep enough to heat up the water inside a person. Which is enough to cause excruciating pain.
Seconds later, people have to run away. And that causes mobs to break up in a hurry. It’s no wonder, then, why less-lethal weapon guru Charles “Sid” Heal calls the ray the “Holy Grail of crowd control.“
Raytheon has been developing a Humvee-mountable ADS for the Pentagon over the last couple of years, as part of an ACTD, or “advanced concept technology demonstration.“
By now, the system was supposed to be in the field. But there have been concerns that the ADS tests weren’t sufficiently realistic. The Pentagon ordered additional trials. More than 2,370 ADS shots were fired during a pair of “military utility assessments” over the fall.
Now, the head of the Army’s Rapid Equipping Force — the unit in charge of getting gear to the troops in a hurry — is saying: enough.
The system’s “capabilities have, to date, been sufficiently demonstrated in the ACTD [advanced concept technology demonstration] to prove its value to the solider,” Col. Robert Lovett notes in a memo, obtained by Inside the Army.
And the 18th Military Police Brigade has requested ADS “to help ‘suppress’ insurgent attacks and quell prison uprisings.“
ADS’ technical manager, Diana Loree, said the system “now meets all of the ACTD performance parameters,” Inside the Army notes.
“Because the system is a hand-built, one-of-a-kind technology demonstrator, it does not meet conventional humvee curb weight requirements… However, the technology team worked closely with [Humvee manufacturer] AM General to ensure the safety of the system and its occupants.”
There has also been talk, at least, of building an airborne model of ADS — as well as putting together a Hummer with both pain rays and sonic blasters. Needless to say, neither project is as far along as the basic Active Denial System.
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do you think things will change with bush gone. no. these things have been going on for 50+ years, just previous leaders were a little better at hiding it. who controls the media? the majority of our population stays in the dark because they are happy there. the question is will we be better off when the light suddenly comes on? i would like to think so but by that time it will be too late. when we finally wake up, the bill of rights will be long gone and so will our illusion of freedom. read the book 1984 and you will understand where we will be in 20 years(hopefully not sooner, but who knows)
I just saw this technology demonstrated on 60 minutes. They have been field testing this for the last 3 years. At the most there has been a few cases of rashes breaking out and a couple of 2nd degree burns. I have had friends that have told me if they would have had this tech in the AOR that many lives could have been saved on both sides. For you that call this tech deplorable why don’t you do some research before your knee jerk reactionary comments come spilling out of your uninformed mouth. What part of non-lethal do you not understand? When the alternative is a bullet to this I am sure a field commander would welcome this alternative.
Great substitute for water boarding without all the wet mess! Who is going to stop them from using it?
Raytheon makes a smaller table top version, that’s perfect for prison abuse. Google Raytheon Silent Guardian for the specs.
Organized crime is aleady using this technology, Google Electronic Harassment for details.
Atlanta-Attacks.com is just one example…
How do we protect ourselves if we disagree and the other side wants to suppress dissent?
Great substitute for water boarding without all the wet mess! Who is going to stop them from using it?
Raytheon makes a smaller table top version, that’s perfect for prison abuse. Google Raytheon Silent Guardian for the specs.
Organized crime is aleady using this technology, Google Electronic Harassment for details.
Atlanta-Attacks.com is just one example…
How do we protect ourselves if we disagree and the other side wants to suppress dissent?
hummmm Whats going to happen when petrol prices get too high for americans to go to work everyday?? when the oil based elements of fertilizer cost too much for farmers???
I think the pain ray will be great in helping to keep a good working population motivated.
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All you anarchists are just pissed that you’re now going to literaly have your asses fried at the next WTO meeting!
If it were crowds of nazis that we needed to system to control I don’t think we’d be hearing so many comments. I’m as liberal as they come, but am frankly embarassed at the anarchist protests. Do people remeber the LA riots after the Rodney King Verdict? I can recall a few people who had the brains smashed in mobs of out-of-control people. WOuld have been nice to have a non-lethal option back then.
There needs to be non-lethal crown-control. Deal with it. It’s better than billy clubs and bullets.