Posted on 07/21/2005 9:33:55 AM PDT by kiriath_jearim
Scientists worried by riot control ray gun
Thu Jul 21, 2005 12:34 AM IST
LONDON (Reuters) - Scientists are questioning the safety of a Star Wars-style riot control ray gun due to be deployed in Iraq next year.
The Active Denial System weapon, classified as "less lethal" by the Pentagon, fires a 95-gigahertz microwave beam at rioters to cause heating and intolerable pain in less than five seconds.
The idea is people caught in the beam will rapidly try to move out of it and therefore break up the crowd.
But New Scientist magazine reported on Wednesday that during tests carried out at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico, participants playing the part of rioters were told to remove glasses and contact lenses to protect their eyes.
In another test they were also told to remove metal objects like coins from their clothing to avoid local hot spots developing on their skin.
"What happens if someone in a crowd is unable for whatever reason to move away from the beam," asked Neil Davison, coordinator of the non-lethal weapons research project at Britain's Bradford University.
"How do you ensure that the dose doesn't cross the threshold for permanent damage? Does the weapon cut out to prevent overexposure?," he added.
The magazine said a vehicle-mounted version of the weapon named Sheriff was scheduled for service in Iraq in 2006 and that U.S. Marines and police were both working on portable versions.
Not half as worried as rioters.
"95-gigahertz microwave beam"
Wow it delivers a ZOT!!! I got to have one of these!
"Set phasers to stun..."
Does anyone have a Zotlist?
This non-lethal weapon could have a lot of positive applications here in San Francisco. We have a virtually limitless supply of anarchist volunteers here in our streets.
Set controls to "Popcorn"!
Wonder how that would work against police radar...?
These scientists are right. Non-lethal weapons like this could really hurt people. Crowd control is best practiced with high explosives and/or napalm.
Hmmm....
Wonder if this sterilizes the mob?
And can it be used to "pre-detonate" explosive belts?
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I would hate to think that the bad guys would get one of these.
would they prefer more traditional "crowd pleasers" such as fuel-air munitions?
They're right. Lets use full auto assault weapons instead and flame throwers instead. The blood, guts and scorched flesh smell will have a more profound effect on the others.
< /sarcasm >
No, no, artillery barrages control crowds better.
Ask any 13B.
*Though we'd have loved to have the biggest microwave oven ever built, just for fun.*
Popular Science had one of their reporters test the prototype out a year or three ago.
The thing made him jump and run in less than two seconds.
The techies running it said 'Cool, we've never shot a reporter before.'
Who signs up to be tested by these things?
"less lethal" is not the same as "non-lethal", hmmm?
Oh come on. Rubber bullets and explosive tear gas cannisters are just fine (I'm a traditionalist...) Much better than someone getting a little burn on their thigh because their keys heated up.
What happens if they're wearing tin-foil hats? There's going to be people showing up at protests looking like Dan Daly.
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