Friday, April 3rd, 2009...2:18 pm
Protesters Beware: “Non-Lethal” Weapons of the Future
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By Rassam Fakour-Zaker
Know Your Money Editor
For decades military R&D types have been desperately searching for the next big thing in “non-lethal” anti-personnel weaponry. From gay bombs to foam guns, every conceivable (and inconceivable) avenue has been explored in the quest to circumvent international human rights laws and rules of engagement in order to exert control and suppress dissent both at home and abroad.
So, the next time the great unwashed masses have the audacity to take to the streets in protest against our benevolent leaders they might find themselves up against some of these little puppies…
Personnel Halting and Stimulation Response Rifle (PHASR)
Not only does the PHASR look suspiciously like something out of the Halo universe but it also has a ridiculous sci-fi-inspired backronymic name. All of which suggests that the geeks at the U.S. Airforce’s Directed Energy Directorate were having a little too much fun developing the weapon rather than considering the shadier aspects of “non-lethal” technology – such as the potential for permanent physical damage or use in torture.
Anyway, according to the New Scientist, the PHASR is a “dazzler” weapon which uses a low-intensity laser to temporarily blind enemies. America’s National Institute of Justice is currently conducting tests and plans to introduce them for use by prison officers and law enforcement agencies.
Police captain to his men: “Everyone, set your PHASRs to “Oppress”, and let’s just hope that these Klingon protesters don’t have access to sunglasses technology”.
Light Emitting Diode Incapacitator (LEDI)
Invented by California’s Intelligent Optical Systems, Inc., the LEDI uses an array of high-powered multi-coloured lights which flash at differing wavelengths causing disorientation, nausea and vomiting for whoever is unlucky enough to be looking at the beam.
It seems that many people have been rather excited about this flashlight-like “Puke Ray” – Time Magazine named it as one of their best inventions of 2007 – and reports indicate that the Department of Homeland Security are hoping to get these into the hands of police, border patrols and National Guardsmen sometime next year.
Whether the LED Incapacitator succeeds in the area of law and order or not, it is likely to become a must-have accessory on the emetophilic disco scene and a surefire hit within the fashion industry as an after-dinner aid.
Active Denial System (ADS)
The ADS is essentially a ray gun that fires high-frequency microwave radiation at a subject triggering pain receptors in the skin to create a sudden, intense burning sensation without actually burning (check out the demonstration videos – note that the test subjects are holding placards…).
Considered by some as the “Holy Grail of crowd control”, ADS weaponry has been in use for some time by the US military in vehicle and airplane-mounted forms but defence contractor Raytheon are currently developing a smaller version for commercial and military use that goes under the focus-grouped, PR-friendly name of Silent Guardian. Sounds like it will come with a tasteful faux-leather holster.
MEDUSA (Mob Excess Deterrent Using Silent Audio)
One of the many “sonic weapons” that are getting rightwing types all juiced up, MEDUSA uses microwaves to transmit painfully-high levels of unpleasant noise directly into the human skull causing discomfort and incapacitation. Bypassing the ear and ear drum, only those directly in the weapon’s beam are affected.
Sierra Nevada Corporation were contracted to develop the weapon by the US Navy, whose early test reports seemed palpably delighted by the idea, and from last year’s New Scientist article it seems that we could see a working MEDUSA gun on the streets as soon as any potential brain damage concerns are adequately dispelled.
Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD)
Originally developed as a navy hailing and warning system, the LRAD is little more than a bloody big megaphone which, although often used in this capacity, is also employed as a crowd deterrent by law enforcement agencies, the military and commercial ships due to its ability to emit sounds at ear-splitting volumes (50 times the human pain threshold apparently). Obviously, if it’s a protest of angry deaf people you’re trying to get rid of you’ll have to just stick to the old reliable batons and riot shields.
Nice to see a sensible name on this one – I’m guessing there were some heated debates in the US Navy’s PR department but LRAD just won out over The Soundsaber or Sonic Blaster or some other Hollywood-esque bullshit.
Distributed Sound and Light Array Debilitator (DSLAD)
As you might have guessed from the name this “less-than-lethal” combines the best of both worlds, using – wait for it – sound and light to immobilize targets.
The DSLAD, which is being developed at the Pennsylvania State University for the US Department of Defense, uses the aural and visual bombardment to cause pain, nausea and, once again, vomiting. Much like a U2 concert.
16 Comments
April 3rd, 2009 at 6:26 pm
Why the quotes around non-lethal? Your quotation marks imply that these weapons are lethal but you give no evidence to support your implicit claim – other than an unexplained snippet about potential brain damage. Explain your self!!
April 3rd, 2009 at 6:31 pm
police r going to kill us
April 3rd, 2009 at 7:09 pm
scary stuff. imagine something breaks and emits a sound 50 times over the threshold of pain for a few hours. humanity could be crippled if we had a amplifier strong enough.
April 3rd, 2009 at 8:20 pm
Why are you so worried about these devises use in torture? Up until just recently the US military preferred torture technique involved only a bucket of water. I’m sure there are plenty of things that they can use for torture and having these isn’t going to increase torture. If the military wants to hurt someone I’m sure there are plenty of more painful less expensive ways to do it.
April 3rd, 2009 at 9:48 pm
LIFE IS BECOMING SO SCARY!!!
April 3rd, 2009 at 10:45 pm
The DSLAD will work until the first person who dies from choking and aspirating their own vomitus, and then the family files a bazillion dollar lawsuit.
April 3rd, 2009 at 11:48 pm
Pretty high tech weapon.
April 4th, 2009 at 12:23 am
I was thinking this was just another copy pasted article until i came acroos the most useful bit of information in the very last line which made it all worthwhile…. U2 do suck!
April 4th, 2009 at 2:11 am
I don’t know who wrote this articel but there are numerous problems in your logic. First the article appears to bash non-leathal weapons as bad for society because they will strip us of our civil rights. Whether or not a person is prone to protesting for every thing the government does they do not agree with, most can agree that non-lethal weapons would be benefitial. As a person who I assume loves a good protest, i would think the author of this article would prefer being dazed and having nausia induced rather than being beaten to a pulp, or killed. You may want to read a history book, since America was founded people have been killed in riots that got out of control, (Boston Massacre) police forces that can use flashing lights to disperse crowds don’t have to resort to fire arms. “you’ll have to just stick to the old reliable batons and riot shields.” This is why they develop this technology so they don’t have to rely on batons. In addition new technology used to deter crowds that have become a danger to the public does not inherently mean that civil rights will become restriced more then they have in the past. It is simply a new way to disperse crowds. The new non-leathal weapons will be put in the hands of the same people, who are under the same superiors, and who fallow the same laws. Also on a personal note, if you wish to be taken seriously in your cause you may not want to make one of your arguments against non-lethal technology that it resembles a “Halo Wars” gun and that clearly the developers are nerds. By refrencing this video game you yourself come off as a large nerd and it takes away from your main argument by making a personal attack against your opposition much like the Republicans and the question of President Obama’s birth.
April 4th, 2009 at 8:12 am
Benevolent?,… what is the Elite turd licker smoking?
April 4th, 2009 at 9:24 am
Glad to see our tax dollars being well spent. NOT
Now that they have invented these new toys, they should put them away and never use them, unless the bad guys have them. In which they will if the government gets the weapons. They need to ask themselves if they would like to be apprehended by these tactics! Police already abuse tasor guns. They are intended if an officer is threatened to immediately take control, but cops shoot people if they’re too slow, or talk disrespectful, etc. The courts are doing away with the death sentence, while cops electricute people on the street.
The U.S. should have the very best weapons, but not to use on American citizens.
JMHO
Strange Days Indeed- Don’t get pulled over!
April 4th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
DONT LET THE INVISIBLE FIRE GET MY FRIEND!
April 4th, 2009 at 11:21 pm
Way to turn what could have been a good post into a giant steaming pile of fail with constant political idiocies.
You’re right…military and police forces should use deadly force on rioters…
April 6th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
This only reinforces my fear of my own government. Not Obama, not the FBI or any of that stuff, but our weird-ass secret CIA torture strike forces and things like Dick Cheney’s secret hit squad. When coupled with our obsession with torture and love of repression, this could be very, very bad.
I love America.
Remember, remember, the 5th of November…..
April 14th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
This looks like the kind of non-lethal weaponry suitable for use in defending merchant shipping from Somalia pirates. DSLAD technology ought to be effective in sending the pirates scrambling for the cover of the mother ship rock they crawled out from under.
March 22nd, 2010 at 12:05 pm
Against that PHASR thing, the unwashed masses could use another piece of wonderful technology called “mirrors”. Those usually wreak havok with laser beams! A good, fist-sized stone hitting the head of the PHASR operator also seems to be effective ordnance since prehistoric times.
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