It's been six long years since we
first got wind of the Pentagon's Active Denial System, and four since it was slated to
control riots in Iraq, but though we've seen reporters zapped by the device
once or
twice, it seems the
Air Force-approved pain gun is only now entering service in Afghanistan. The
BBC reports the device -- which generates a targeted burning sensation in humans -- is now deployed with US troops, though a military spokesman is assuring publications that it "has not been used operationally," and that the armed forces have yet to decide whether to actually use it.
Wired reports the unit was plagued by technical and safety issues for years, not to mention political concerns, but as to that last we have to imagine even a semi-damaging heat ray beats the pants off
lead-based alternatives.
Update: Sorry folks, false alarm -- a Air Force spokesperson just informed us that though the pain gun was indeed sent to Afghanistan, it's now being returned to the US without ever seeing use.
posted July 18th 2010 8:41AM
This could be a great combination of the game "Mercy" and laser tag, if released commercially...
@bravokiloromeo Perfect for keeping people out of your lawn :)
@bravokiloromeo Isn't it working with microwaves? People aren't sure if cellphones are causing cancer, this thing even hurts.
Same as with the Tazer, because it doesn't (always) kill, people think they can use it always they want. You feel pain because something gets damaged/destroyed, that's like always bad for your health, u know?
@Kaboof Not true. You FEEL pain because your nerves are being stimulated. FEELING pain is actually only a sensation, no tissue, or any other, form of damage is mandatory to FEEL pain.
@loocas Hey you attended Raytheon's Modern Torture lecture series too?! My favourite one was titled "No Marks Left = No Messy Internal Investigations"
Keeping on topic, there's no way this wouldn't cause long-term skin damage, but who is going to voluntarily stay in the path of the pain ray?
@loocas yeah, I think u are right in some way, but I also think the nerves get damaged when they are "stimulated" in such a heavy way, leading to less pain sensation the next times. And I dont think this thing is able to just "stimulate" the nerves, the skin around will be altered too, and what will be the effect of that?
@Kaboof this part of your sentence: people think they can use it always they want. should read people think they can use it "anyway" they want.
I think this is a decent idea and should really freak out the insurgents when they start to burn from the under their skin. They'll think You Americans have some VooDoo Magic. Sweet, please post vids to Youtube, U.S. Military.
@bravokiloromeo
It's time to get the Lead out
This was on Future Weapins already. The host got hut with it.
@bravokiloromeo
Crucio!
@MooMooChu True this is an EPIC FAIL the Rays wave is actually very small one can just jump out of the way. This was built to Fleece us the American public of untold Millions. Welcome to America!
@bravokiloromeo - why not just shoot the S.OB.'s, its not like theyr civilized, theyr not even real people
Kaboof and others,
cell phones DO NOT cause cancer. This is a myth supported by epidemiological studies (from Sweden for example), and not by fundamental research. Fundamental research r real physics shows that microwaves (the wavelength of cell technology) are far below the cancer energy threshold. That threshold lies at the extreme blue/ultraviolet end (as in UV from the sun) of the visible spectrum. I have no idea why the media has not picked up on this. I guess the it's not sensational enough. Ugh!
Oh, I can see it now.
US soldiers walking about the battlefield, stabbing people who are cringing in pain because 'they could pose a threat if we deactivate the pain-gun'...
@liveag
They would be affected by the pain gun also if they were among the affected people...
@liveag Modern rules of engagement wouldn't allow it.
In fact the rues of engagement impossed on US forces are so strict that it's practically hard to kill the enemy some times.
Let's not forget this is war, and body count is important.
@Hideki Well, it says in the post that the beam is highly focused, but in the worst case they'd have to shoot them, like before. But you know, cringing targets are easier to hit than moving targets... and rarely fight back.
@Sofabutt Oh snap, they're not allowed to kill everyone on sight? Damnit, now Stevie from batallion five won't have a story to tell in the evening.
I know war is war, but it seems the USA are just trying to ensure it IS fought, not controlling HOW it's fought.
Did you know that the USA supportet Sadam Hussein for a long time before they decided that he is the most concentrated form of evil alive?
I guess war is just business, weapons manufacturers, supplies and such, as well as the bounty, black gold, if the war is won. And you have to keep the machine running, right? *coughs*
@Sofabutt really? Except they bend those rules every way they can. See the Wikileaks video where the Apache pilot says all the words he has to say to get authorisation to open fire despite the facts.
@liveag Hussein was supported as a counter to militant Iran that might destabilize the region and interfere with vital oil resources important to US national interests.
The situation changed to where his forces became the threat. Nothing more nothing less.
All - Look, bottom line is if you don't want civilians to get killed, don't start a war... We can take steps to minimize things sure, but telling a soldier on the ground he isn't allowed to shoot the jihaadist that just through his AK in the ditch to run to an RPG is complete crap.
Yay! and the Tazer saga continues!
That's cruel
@mko
I don't think most of you guys understand the application of this tool. Its not something that the US is parading into every village, they are stationed at military checkpoints where soldiers are sitting ducks waiting to be car bombed and are used on vehicles and people who fail to identify themselves. These along with the similar instrument that produces a high pitched sound are meant to stop people in their tracks and help to keep our soldiers safe...i for one am all for that, and if you are not then I suggest leaving america or any other country with soldiers in iraq and afghanistan because you aren't wanted here
@pple is poo
US Politicians: If you can go kill them in their homes, why just stay here and protect our borders.
Thats a dozen microwaved insurgents for the US-Army, please!
Fucking disgusting. :|
@Saad
so's killing
@aiiee
Aye, while I'm no fan of military action of any kind, disabling in a non-lethal way is certainly preferable to their usual techniques!
@Saad Agreed. This won't help a bit in reducing insurgency...weapons never do.
This is so wrong, I mean if it leaves no marks, it could also be used for torture in prisons or something like that, and then the torturer could easily get away with it...
@klacebo Oh yeah! They haven't been doing that yet, so, let's get all emotional here!
OMG! They has non-lethal postmark-less wepunz! OH NOEZ!!!
The really funny is how this multimillion dollar smart device can be disabled with a 1 cent AK47 round or even a well thrown rock, not to mention RPGs, IEDs and landmines. Very, very pointless waste of USA taxpayers money.
@aigarius The same could be said of all weapons. 7.62 mm rounds don't do wonders to M-4s, 9 mm pistols, soldiers, missiles, mortars, and pretty much everything else.
But this thing does offer a non-lethal means of controlling riots outside your military base, embassy, etc...
@aigarius this is a huge, barely moving target where the emitter can not be heavily armoured, because it has to emit the waves. This can be disabled easily and cheaply from a large distance, unlike, for example a water cannon.
@aigarius Wait until it's reduced in size and mounted on uav's, as an attachment to existing weaponry, as standard issue on military vehicles like a horn for instance. I see many many applications for this tech. Well beyond what even the creators have thought about thus far.
@aigarius It's a PR move to show us that are trying to be a kindlier, gentler organized killing machine.
@aigarius These devices will be used to setup no entry zones. I don't think they are driving around blasting people with the death Ray.
@aigarius Actually, its not as huge as you make it sound and it could be disguised fairly easily because microwaves penetrate certain materials - you dont have to stick it onto a truck or humvee. An unseen weapon/target is better than an armored one in these situations.
This is fucking repugnant. Since this is nonlethal soldiers are going to be using this on everyone in sight. The same way cops use a taser at the drop of a hat instead of just raising their voice like they used to.
@Unnecessary you're an idiot.
Now I want one_of_those[dot]com
Finally we will have a non-lethal weapon that can be used to stop the lunacy in Afghanistan. I wonder if it could be used on those protesters from the Westboro Church also.
You best be joking; weapons never have, and never will, stop insurgency.
The Westboro Church on the other hand...the light's lit green to use it on those guys...
Afghanistan ? Isn't this the thing they used at the G20 summit in Toronto this year?
@Plazmic Flame no that was Cops pretending to be Rioters, same effect without the pain.
@SOOPERGOOMAN
Do ever think before you type something?
You were not there, did not see anything, have never seen what these anarchists attempt to do, nor have you ever done anything constructive except hide behind a keyboard with an idiotic screen name, not accomplishing anything that remotely resembles anything of value.
@colinfox Um I was a the G20 summit this year, so before you jump to conclusions that are greatly wrong. Go be in a major protest yourself. The consensus is that the "Rioters" or "Black Blockers" were cops in disguise, this said by law enforcement and the media. Maybe if you turned on the news instead of trolling Engadget all day you would know a thing or two about what is happening in the world around you. You sir are beneath me. so STFU!
So, politically, they have issues with weapons that actually DON'T KILL people? o_O
*speechless*