America’s problems in Iraq probably aren’t due to low-tech weapons, but the U.S. military has a new high-tech one to use there.
Wired News reports on the Air Force’s Active Denial System, a nonlethal weapon that uses something akin to microwaves to heat the surface of the skin and prompt what the service euphemistically calls “prompt and highly motivated escape behavior.” In other words, it hurts so much, so quickly, that targets run away.
According to Wired News, the system has been extensively tested on volunteers and is supposed to produce no lasting ill effects — if used properly.
And yes, it has been certified for use in Iraq. It’ll be interesting to see how well that goes over.
Posted by Dave Knadler
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65 Comments
I don’t like the large variety of guns available to buy. Armor piercing ammunition anyone can get. Huge clips and pretty easy process making a semi-auto into fully automatic.
Set lasers on stun, maybe. Set laser heat to burn through metal and aimed at people. Our military doesn’t deserve the technology even though it might cut down on ammunition spread that connects with people stading nearby a target. Soldiers would still wildly fire laser weapons.
Police in New York shot at guys 50 times recently.
Collective laser fire, DON’T CROSS THE STREAMS warning from Ghostbusters!
Laser guns on the moon, use on Mars. Keep them off this planet.
Less hand guns no matter the tech!
Flamethrower anyone?
“Our military doesn’t deserve the technology..”
Mrage..you are despicable. The military deserves full support and all the technology they can get.
The military is the reason you have the freedom to write that disgusting drivel. They proudly stand to defend even scum like you.
The military deserves respect, support, AND all the weaponry they can get.
These people in the military have pledged their LIVES to defend this country, and disgusting pukes like you claim they do not deserve the best?
You are sickening.
Thank you Adolph. Thinking like yours is why Germany lost the war.
“The military is the reason you have the freedom to write that disgusting drivel.”
Sorry rap. The CONSTITUTION is the reason he has the right to write. The right to speak freely.
The president swears to uphold the constitution. The military defends the constitution. Or at least it should be that way.
Maybe if you understood that concept, you would also understand why some of us are so outraged at the preznit’s complete disregard and even contempt for the constitution and the bill of rights.
The war daddy president shredding the constitution is the ULTIMATE nanny state. Something you cons say you hate.
But you manage the schizophrenia so well….
Vee have the best technology. Vee vill crush Stalingrad. Oops, nevermind.
Farmie,The constitution by itself doesn’t guarantee freedom of anything. Without the authority of the military and/or those that enforce the law, it’s just another piece of paper.
Moreover, please tell me what rights of yours have been violated by the president.
You completely missed the point, KFG. The military is not the prez. The military does not define policy. The military is simply the tool of that policy.
The Constitution would be a worthless piece of scrap paper if we did not have a military to back it up, as you even mentioned, “the military defends the constitution.” Do you even bother to read what you write?
The men and women serving deserve all the support and technology they can get, regardless of who is in the white house.
People that attack and belittle the military for failures of foreign policy are ignorant idiots. You do not have to support the war to support the warrior.
This weapon is intriguing and i think it has a lot of potential. I would be a bit concerned about effects of microwaves on internal organs; hopefully they are looking at that.
My concern is not its effects on “bad guys” but rather on bystanders. If that issue can be resolved then it looks good for both foreign and domestic use.
Comments on this thread just further illustrate the liberals’ absolute disdain for the military.
*shock*
Notice the keyword.. if used properly…
Oh sure like that will happen..
Times of war are always associated with leaps and bounds in scientific discovery, medicine and technology.
I welcome microwave weapons with open arms.
Cook ‘em like halal hot pockets.
I saw this weapon in development and limited deployment. It is absolutely amazing. The recipients said that they believed they were on fire. After moving out of the stream, they felt fine. I think we should definitely use this weapon to protect areas or buildings.
‘They’ also have one that uses sound. Very directional. The beam can be aimed at you. You’ll feel like your eardrums are going to rupture and the person next to you won’t hear a thing.
Non-lethal weapons. Awesome.
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/v-mads.htm
http://www.newscientist.com/channel/health/mg19125695.800-microwave-weapon-less-lethal-but-still-not-safe.html
In 9000 tests, only six ‘injured’. The worst case was 2nd degree burns (blistering)
One thing I like about these is that bystanders might be discomforted but at least are not dead. When dealing with a civil war I think we must deal with that.
It is an active denial system. Translation; keeping the ‘bad guys’ out of where they are not supposed to be. Or it could be used for riot control; disbanding a mob of people.
Erik,
How bout we stick you out there with a BB gun. Make sure you don’t misuse it!!!
Sounds like a good development; a non-lethal weapon, suited for riot control, etc., where bullets flying could hit unintended targets, worsening the overall situation.
The Constitution is a piece of paper that is enforced by those who stand behind it.
Holding up the Constitution against Japanese torpedo bombers wouldn’t have saved any of those sailors or their ships.
Holding the Constitution up against the airplanes that hit the WTC and Pentagon wouldn’t have protected anyone.
It’s the people that stand up and say ‘This is what we believe’ that make the Constitution mean anything.
To that end, the MILITARY is the Arm of the U.S. Government, not the brains. The MILITARY deserves anything that will improve their ability to keep soldiers safe and make sure they come home.
If that “anything” is lasers or heat rays…well, *pew* *pew* *pew*…Sign me up!
~Dubyahttp://wichitavoice.com
This thing might be really handy for those pesky door-to-door salesmen!
Actually this old technology, it just took them a long time to go into the direction of non-lethal weapons.You can buy the plans (Microwave Cannon) that this is based on for $6.00 as a download from http://www.amazing1.com/electric-guns.htmA word of caution is that it is dangerous if you are not educated on how to work with microwave energy.The one thing that I would like to know is how they got around the problem of not causing the male testicles from boiling?
I take this issue of bashing the military personally. Many people have died following orders, doing what they thought was the right thing. These soldiers swore an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States..and get greeted here by derision and caustic “clever” comments.
At least the soldiers are not being spit on at the airports anymore. But, I imagine that some people on this blog would love to do just that.
I stand by my earlier comments that mrage comments are sickening and KFG is simply clueless.
I see Golfnuts is trolling kfg right off the bat.
And I see the usual narrow minded flag wavers again don’t stop to think.
I heard about this sort of device some time ago. I call this technolory dangerously insidious.
Imagine the ability to, without inflicting any real harm, exercise such a device over an unruly crowd.
Things like the civil rights marches would never have happened.
Yes with the current administrations grab of rights and spying on people coupled with the acquisition of wealth and power increasingly to the few, we are truly fully on the road to a police state.
Sad.
JR,Are you a complete idiot? The civil rights marches? Get a grip. How about the riot after Rodney King?
How about the ability to secure an embassy under attack over seas with out killing anyone?
Civil rights marches. Get a grip. If you are where you are not supposed to be and you get zapped, what right of yours has been infringed?
What is a troll exactly? And how do you troll someone?
Hell, they had bullets and guns back in the civil rights marches. They maintained mostly control over them with those weapons….what’s the problem? They can control without killing or real injury. Now aint that better? Would you rather shoot and/or kill someone in the crowd?
Thanks for making my point for me.
MOST people will think twice before firing a gun. No one is gonna give a second thought to using this thing.
The right to assemble is in serious jeapordy with this development.
But hey I guess that’s ok with conservatives. They figure they will be on the firing end of this thing.
They may figure wrong. Especially when they embrace something like this.
That’s quite the jump from using an active deterrent in a military setting to the police randomly ‘zapping’ folks in a demonstration.
We currently employ rubber bullets and water cannons along with tear gas. Hmmmm. Still seem to be protestors and marches.
Doesn’t pass the logic test.
OOOHHHHH, I get it. Its because this came out under the Bush administration…
“Yes with the current administrations grab of rights”
This isn’t about the device, its about you hating the administration. Huh. Go figure. I wonder if Gore or Kerry supported the device. Bet they already do.
trolling …
Weeellllll whaddya know. Not only does Kerry support the weapon, it was built in his home state. Huh, yeah, it’s Bushes fault and definitely a Republican attack on civil rights.
http://montages.blogspot.com/2004/06/kerry-raytheon-and-active-denial.html
ConcernedMom,I’m kinda new too. Trolling is using someone else’s nic (screen name)
i.e. you sign in as me and start saying nasty things about conservatives.
Did I mention politics?
I call this device a bad thing no matter WHO has it.
That the current administration happens to have put us further toward a police state than any other is just incidental.
The UN should ban this research.
KFG,”Sorry rap. The CONSTITUTION is the reason he has the right to write. The right to speak freely.”
True, but without the military there would be no constitution and we would be under the control of the: French . . . can you say frog legs?; the british . . . can you say for queen and country?; the spanish . . . can you say have a taco gringo?
Seriously, the military is a necessary evil, and if you are going to have it, it might as well be the baddest MF on the block.
This whole place is starting to smell like my unflushed toilet.
I think I’ll find a new board.
“But hey I guess that’s ok with conservatives. They figure they will be on the firing end of this thing.”
“Yes with the current administrations grab of rights and spying”“And I see the usual narrow minded flag wavers again don’t stop to think.”
I see your political view all over the comment. Do you think that this is the first ever non lethal weapon? Tear gas, tazors, water cannons, rubber bullets, bean bag bullets…. But you’re right, because this came out under the Bush administration we are all doomed.
“I think we should definitely use this weapon to protect areas or buildings.”
Or how ’bout the borders?
The chickenshit who trolled me at 2:11 is ENCOURAGED to find a new board.
In fact the chickenshit who trolled me at 2:11 is invited to email me so that we can discuss just when and where he would like to exercise his problem to my face.
sol you don’t get it and I’m not going to explain it to you.
This device is a bad idea no matter who has it.
RD,
OUTSTANDING. I bet that would be far cheaper than a fence. Bet it would be 100% more effective as well. Great idea !!!!
Yeah, so are rubber bullets.. and real bullets.. Can someone give JR a hug and maybe a verse or two of kumbaya?
Lookout folks, J R is getting all excited and angry again. Oh shit! I hope he don’t bring out his “sharp end of the stick”. Oh brother.
If whoever is trolling me has the guts to come out in the open I’ll give them more than the end of a sharp stick. I’ll give them my boot up their ass.
Pretty sad when your politics are so weak you have to troll people. BUT I always knew right wingers were pussies.
JR, WebTV??? Holy crap man, are you for real????
Yep, JR got trolled. Makes all us conservatives pussies. Just like Kerry supporting a non lethal weapon and it coming out under Bush’s administration dooms us all to a police state.
“sol you don’t get it and I’m not going to explain it to you.
This device is a bad idea no matter who has it.”
I think perhaps YOU don’t get it. Police use horses, riot gear, batons, tear gas, rubber bullets ALREADY…at the drop of a hat.
There is no hesitation, if the situation warrants it, to drop a can of CS gas into a crowd if they think it will break them up.
While the repercussions are definitely something to consider with any new weapon, I don’t think adding a device to the NON-LETHAL category is a bad idea, by any stretch of the imagination.
P.S. I really like the Border Patrol idea. Mount this on a hummer and *pew* *pew* *pew* the illegals right back across the border. :)
~Dubyahttp://wichitavoice.com
You wingers need to get control of your trolls and tell them to knock it off.
I don’t troll but that doesn’t mean I can’t start.
It’s nice to see the liberal, peace-loving-types come out swinging with threats of violence and hate :)
Score!
~Dubyahttp://wichitavoice.com
This technology would not make a suitable fence.
First the power costs would be enormous. Too constant microwave activity would be bad for the environment.
You could place them at strategic points, motorize the unit, and link it to motion detectors. You could cut the patrolling in half.
It does have a greater effect on wet skin. Might have to back down the wattage. They don’t need to feel like they are on fire just that the run through the ‘pain zone’ isn’t worth it.
RD you really nailed it !!!
JR, the tree in front of your building needs a hug.
You don’t have to run it 24/7
Y’all have a good evening.
Not a fence…a mobile unit. :)
~Dubyahttp://wichitavoice.com
Considering the fact that someone or a few someones put a ball bat through my car window just after dark yesterday and the three vehicles to the north (2 vans and a small motorhome…all parked in front of where at least 2 families from south of the border live) weren’t touched, but a pickup south of me was, I’m not in a good mood concerning our south-of-the-border neighbors today. I don’t mean to sound racist, but I AM P!SSED. This is the second time this has happened. Two years ago on Thanksgiving night was the first, and now this.
Being as how so many seem to be against NON-LETHAL weapons, maybe we should get together with all the terrorists and have a significent bitch-slapping session. I’m in. Can I wear gloves . . . the stainless steel kind?
Seems to me like improved technology is always a good thing.
Thanks for the tip, a motion detector integrated into my microwave cannon might be very useful way to setting up a security perimeter.
LOL….SQUIRRELS BEWARE!!
~Dubyahttp://wichitavoice.com
raptor,
Our military has every weapon available, will always. The problem is military weapons end up on the street. Police use them thinking their out gunned. Police overshoot. Criminals do, driving by.
We need less ways to wage war and do it on neighorhood streets. If Lasers helped end wars, okay. Adding to war materials extending wars, I don’t support it.
Body armor on soldiers and armored vehicles is more important than lasers. Keep that manufacturing going faster and stronger.
“Laser guided” shooting still isn’t straight because of the person controlling the trigger. People twitch, machines rattle and vibrate.
War and its materials to wage it, we shouldn’t eagerly embrace and disregard reasons why wars are being fought. Its for natural resources. Notice we’re not fighting wars to feed humanity in desperate places today.
So wars by future Presidents trying to capture control oil, I ‘ll never support.
Soldiers today were duped by goals of President Bush and Rumsfeld, now they can’t get out. Sent back again and again. I support soldiers hate the politics.
Weaponry is politics and global gun sales. Some in America are proud we sale more weapons than anyone else. For awhile we didn’t have the title. Now its celebrated by some. The world is flooded with military weapons.
Come over to my trailer home and say that, pussy troll.
The last 2 posts are not mine.
I do not live in a trailer. Neither do I demean people who do live in trailers.
The SPIRIT of the second post is correct. Whoever our troll or trolls are, I am more than willing to meet face to face to address your issues.
I am sorry for you that you cannot post ideas of your own or make your own reputation. If you DO wish to keep pretending to be me could you at least work on your form? See? I’m not a semi-literate hillbilly like you.
Thank you troll, for your time. You may return to molesting your neighbors livestock.
Wow – some of the military brass must have been watching and reading WAY, WAY too much sci-fi…….but seriously this is a totally fascinating technology – I think it will have plenty of uses, especially if it is adopted into wide use and the price comes down.
Supposedly they want to make downsized versions of ADS, even hand-held ones eventually. Who knows – one day in the future you might be hiking in a national forest and get charged by a bear – you whip out your personal battery powered ADS unit and fire – and the bear stops in its tracks and heads for the hills! They could even keep birds away from airports with these things – I’d love to have a mini version to blast the rabbits out of my gardens!
Definitely not high tech, but it works! Take a look at this:
Serious use for Silly String
STRATFORD, N.J. – In an age of multimillion-dollar high-tech weapons systems, sometimes it’s the simplest ideas that can save lives. Which is why a New Jersey mother is organizing a drive to send cans of Silly String to Iraq.
American troops use the stuff to detect trip wires around bombs, as Marcelle Shriver learned from her son, a soldier in Iraq.
Find out how…http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061206/ap_on_re_us/silly_string_to_iraq_1
New technology for the U.S. Army, and its a fucking heat ray? How 1950’s can you get? Call me when they make something cool, like the Death Star.
why don’t they make TIE Fighters? That would be uber sexy! If our government is so intent on wasting our fucking tax money on ridiculous projects, they might as well see to it that said projects are Cool…
Savvy?
Phasers on stun
JR -
If the Bush administration announced that they’d cured cancer, found a non-polluting and cheap replacement for oil, and cured world hunger, you’d claim it’s a step toward evil domination of the globe and oppose it.
Good lord, pull your head out of wherever it is and join the rest of us in dealing with the real world. I think your paranoia has gotten the best of you.
Since when is a non-lethal alternative to bullets a bad idea?
And why would you blame “wingers” for your troll? How ’bout he’s just an asshole – no matter what his politics. My guess is that you blame “wingers” if your post toasties are soggy in the morning.
Get a grip, JR.