- Directed-energy weapons, including lasers and
high-powered
microwave (HPM) devices, continue to trickle out of the Pentagon's
classified
research and development programs. The latest is a non-lethal,
millimeter-wave,
anti-personal ray.
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- The 10 year, $40 million program was developed in a joint
program with Raytheon, as a millimeter-wave (MMW) energy projector to be
used for controlling crowds with burst of instantly painful rays. A likely
tactical scenario would be to swivel rays of short burst, 95 GHZ energy,
like a fire hose across a group of people to inflict sharp stings on the
skin, even through clothing.
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- The Marine Corps wants the device to work at ranges of
more than a half mile, beyond the effective range of small arms. The
Marine's
vehicle mounted "active denial system" is to be mounted on a
Humvee light truck. Power would be provided by a turbo-alternator and
battery
system. Researches say they have made technological break through on power
supplies to run such weapons even when mounted on vehicles or
aircraft.
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- Any effects are harmless and immediately reversible.
To keep the beam from inflicting burns or damaging eyes, it is limited
in power and endurance. The developers are also convinced that the human's
natural inclination-"the repel effect"- will be to escape the
pain by running away or closing the eyes.
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- The directed-energy ray at the point of exposure causes
moisture in the outer layer of the skin to heat to a temporary high enough,
that it stings the surrounding tissue like drops of scalding water. The
Ray penetrates less than 1/64 in.
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- Such a weapon would be useful in urban conflicts. It
is also valued because they can scramble computer memories and otherwise
disable computers that control key battlefield command and communications
capabilities.
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- The Air Force wants to put the directed -energy weapons
on unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to burn up the electronics of key devices,
including vehicle ignition systems, as part of a combination computer and
information warfare campaign.
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- Operational planers say the UAV is the most likely
candidate
for the HPM weapons since it can get closer to targets without endangering
the crews.
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