Scientists Slam US Plasma Weapon

The Register ^ | 03/03/2005 | Lester Haines

[NationSoConceived]

Scientists have reacted angrily to the revelation that the US military is funding development of a weapon intended to deliver an "excrutiating bout of pain" from over a mile away. The "Pulsed Energy Projectile" (PEP) device "fires a laser pulse that generates a burst of expanding plasma when it hits something solid", the New Scientist explains. If you happen to be that something solid, then you get temporarily incapacitated without suffering permanent injury.

That's the theory, but pain reasearchers fear that the proposed riot control weapon could be used for torture, and further doubt a solid ethical basis for the research. Andrew Rice, a consultant in pain medicine at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London, said: "Even if the use of temporary severe pain can be justified as a restraining measure, which I do not believe it can, the long-term physical and psychological effects are unknown."

What those physical effects might be is the subject of a University of Central Florida in Orlando study which aims to "optimise" the effect of PEPs as noted in a 2003 US Naval Studies Board review of non-lethal weapons. The review outlined how PEPs produced "pain and temporary paralysis" in animal tests, apparently as a result of "an electromagnetic pulse produced by the expanding plasma which triggers impulses in nerve cells".

The new study was exposed by biological weapons research watchdog the Sunshine Project, which obtained papers relating to the programme under the US's Freedom of Information Act. One research contract between the Office of Naval Research and the University of Florida in Gainsville is snappily entitled: "Sensory consequences of electromagnetic pulses emitted by laser induced plasmas".

New Scientist notes that the contract was heavily censored before release, but reveals that researchers are requested to investigate "optimal pulse parameters to evoke peak nociceptor activation", ie, how to cause the maximum pain possible without killing the subject.

One scientist working on the project - Martin Richardson, a laser expert at the University of Central Florida - declined to comment to New Scientist. Another - Brian Cooper, an expert in dental pain at the University of Florida - attempted to downplay his involvement by saying: "I don't have anything interesting to convey. I was just providing some background for the group."

According to John Wood of University College London, an expert in how the brain perceives pain, both Richardson and Cooper and all those working on the PEP research project should face censure because any weapon resulting from the programme "could be used for torture".

[JoeGar]

... you get temporarily incapacitated without suffering permanent injury ...

If this is the complaint, let's just go back to using bullets.

[Jack of all Trades]

To me, this sounds like a Taser minus the wires. There were some articles posted a few years ago about using a laser (UV I think) to create an ionized air path over a long distance. The ionized air path was then used to transmit electrical current to the target. I can think of a few other interesting applications for such a device that don't involve shooting it at humans.

[Little Ray]

I think they should round up these scientists and put them on riot control duty for a couple of years.
Without armor, shields, batons, guns, tear gas, etc.

[justshutupandtakeit]

Nein, Herr Kapitan.

[Mike Darancette]

pain reasearchers fear that the proposed riot control weapon could be used for torture

A pair of pliers or a soda straw can be used for torture.

[Modernman]

It depends on whether or not there's information to be obtained from the target.

And whether or not there are people around the target that you don't want to kill.

Plus, imagine the psychological effects of a weapon like this. I imagine it would freak out the average third-worlder.

[SaltyJoe]

Less then lethal weaponry means that soldiers or cops are more likely to use them on a threat that's real or perceived. Those effected who are deemed not to have been a threat will still be alive to tell about it. If Americans have this technology, unfortunate victims will more than likely receive an apology and compensation rather than a cold reply, "tough cookies for being an innocent bystander."

I favor less than lethal enforcement since the moral consequences of deadly encounters for victims are much more permanent than getting a good butt-kicking but living to complain about it.

Furthermore, if this technology were used against good people, it would only make their character stronger (reference Christian martyrs).

[johnb838]

How about a nice steamin cup 'o STFU?

[johnb838]

No, they're advocating leaving the poor enemy alone.

[johnb838]

I wonder if you can turn up the juice and instead of making pain you can create a slug of plasma that goes right through the target?

[JTHomes]

Terminator: "Phased plasma rifle with 40 watt range" Gun dealer: "Hey, just what you see pal"

[johnb838]

I just heard today of an optical laser point-to-point data connectivity link between institutions a couple of miles apart. That is cool.

[JimRed]

...pain reasearchers fear that the proposed riot control weapon could be used for torture...

So can a piece of string and a cup of water, a lit cigarette, a blowtorch, toothpicks, acids, ice cubes...

[DannyTN]

When it comes to defending the US, I'm all for maximum beebage.

[JimRed]

Set phasers to stun!

Star Trek and real life merge again! Was it the Romulans who used the "agonizer" as a punishment?

[add925]

Us FReepers have been using Plasma Weapons for some time. Here's a sample of a troll's nightmare:

[fella]

So the limp wrist peaceniks think that it's better to kill and maim than to stun and do no harm. ?

[PoorMuttly]

Hey, the WHEEL was used as an instrument of torture, and execution.

"Could" is a manipulator's word. When these folks ride mules to work, I'll start paying attention to their opinions. They do have a valid point, and with all technology there is need for responsibility. My Chevy "could" mow down scores of grandmothers and Cub Scouts bringing cookies to a hospital.

"Could."