Last week the the military demonstrated a new weapon for crowd control called the active denial system. The heat ray was developed by the DOE as a way to safely disperse crowds. It uses electro-magnetic radiation at millimeter wave lengths that only penetrate the first 0.4 millimeters of skin. The DOD claims that the device causes just enough heating to cause discomfort, and does no permanent damage. It works by tricking the body into believing that skin is burning. One test subject was quoted as saying that it is similar to a blast from a very hot oven - too painful to bear and forcing them to dive for cover. Early tests of the device actually did cause minor burns. While it is claimed that the device penetrates normal clothing, basic undergraduate physics would suggest that clothing designed to act as a Faraday cage should shield a target.
One has to wonder why this is a better tool than the inexpensive and low tech method of using a water canon to disperse crowds. It might be its range of 500 yards.
The cynic in me wonders how long before they order one at GitMo. A device that causes intense pain and leaves no signs of trauma. A pretty dangerous thing in the wrong hands.
3 comments:
I love your title, "Scotty, place phasers on roast." I don't like the governments new ray gun either.
They are not going to use these devices at Gitmo - these will become the crowd control of choice to be used in urban areas and universities.
Remember the UCLA rent-a-cop that tasered that kid for being in the library without his student ID? This will be the tool of choice for groups of demonstrators.
Now, if I could only find a hip n' happenin' clothing outlet that will supply me with some of those Faraday cage threads that your article was talking about, and I'll be in business. ;o)
My concern is that a tool like this would also make an effective implement of torture.
As for Faraday cage clothing, a suit of chain mail would work!
Unfortunately, the Republicans have several forms of torture at their disposal - including FOX News.
Chain mail? That's for me! Some clothing fashions are classic, they never go out of style!
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