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 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.
Wouldn't playing Metallica at 100 dB have about the same effect?
Active Denial System (ADS) would be good for the troops microwave popcorn when on base.
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.
I can't see these weapons being much use in Iraq for crowd control. The crowds will just reform and come back again and again until we escalate the response to something potentially life-threatening. Then we get called inhumane by the local as well as Arab press.