Posted on 06/01/2005 12:06:22 AM PDT by strategofr
Next Summer, the U.S. Army and Marines are sending to Iraq a number of wheeled armored vehicles (Stryker, Armored Security Vehicle and marine LAV) equipped with a number of electronic non-lethal weapons. The three most likely weapons to be used are;
* Active Denial System (ADS). This one looks like a small, flat, radar dish. It transmits, a 92 gigahertz signal which will penetrate human flesh to less than half a millimeter, and in less than a second make people feel like their skin is on fire. But people would require the beam to stay on them for over four minutes before any actual burning would take place. Tests on volunteers confirm the burning sensation, and the desire to get out of the area quickly. How well this would work against various types of hostile crowds is not known. But the system has been in development for some fifteen years, and its thought that it will be safe and will produce no surprises. Some scientists have warned of possible eye damage, but this has not shown up in human tests. Current range is about 500 meters, although work has been underway to extend that by at least fifty percent. However, used on a large crowd, it could cause a stampede that could cause injuries, and even death. In any event, the media will condemn the system as inhumane.
* Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD), which is a high-powered bullhorn type of device that sends out a focused stream of sound. This can be used to tell to direct a verbal message to about 300 meters on land (and over 500 meters over water.) LRAD also has the capacity to send a focused sound that causes pain as well.
* High powered searchlights. Using new illumination technology, a very bright and focused light can have a deterrent effect at night.
Such peacewagons could move around quickly, and rapidly disperse hostile crowds, without killing a lot of people. In a place like Iraq, you would still have to deal with hostile fire, which is why this equipment is being carried on an armored vehicle.
The vehicle will also have the usual night vision devices, making it easier to find targets at night. In this case, the vehicles would be used in support of combat operations. The ADS or LRAD could be used to force enemy fighters to move this way or that, and make them easier to kill. The Peacekeeper vehicle would also have weapons, and could kill any bad guys it flushed out.
Much better for the hearts-and-minds concept to disperse gatherings (incipient riots) without bloodshed. That's what this equipment is supposed to do.
If you could stop the Iraqi equivalent of a Watts riot without firing a shot, it's worth a try - so long as these don't supplant lethal weapons in terms of what's issued to troops.
It will probably also be good for dealing with terrorists who hide behind human shields.
Oh yeah, lots of applications.
It is uncertain if the ideas from US have hinted Israel, but these device also have been explored by Israel these days after these non-lethal weapons introduced by the US military have become public and gained attention from the media. However, regarding the milimeter wave, there has been objections from human rights group about the health hazard, that may result for extra tests that could delay the milimeter wave ADS.
Information on items that could stop us pesky 'citizens' from expressing dismay at domestic tyranny.
Well stated. Thanks for putting my unease into words.
An old fashioned water cannon fed from a septic tank would be a cheaper and much more robust solution.
Well at least for the moment they are very expensive. That should help keep it in limited use.
Just have to keep shooting them, I guess. At least until the health hazard test data are in....
Col Ulius Louis Amoss.........:o)
Wouldn't playing Metallica at 100 dB have about the same effect?
Move along, there is nothing to see here.
Well, luckily, you and I are outstanding citizens who think that ANY idea our government comes up with is NIFTY! I *love* the Patriot Act! I *love* CFR. Heck, I love what they haven't even thought of yet!
(flag waving)
(flag waving)
Active Denial System (ADS) would be good for the troops microwave popcorn when on base.
My guess it was sulfuric acid and that the trucks were manned by the Cubans and Nicaraguans he had in Panama. Strange-- I never heard Amnesty or the press ever complain about it.
I misread that. I thought ADS stood for Active Dental System.
I figure you get 20 or 30 of these guys with rusty drill and the crowd will disburse in no time:
Seems like an incredible waste of money and risk of Soldiers lives to me. Kinda like herding cats that carry machine guns with nothing but a water hose.
If you have no more deterent effect than non lethal weapons, the Islamics will be attracted to these riots because they can rage and not be hurt. But when you really want to grab that brass ring you can pop a soldier with a single sniper shot from the crowd.
This is nothing more than an Islamic version of an Amusement park with Americans for the door prize.
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