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Anti-personnel non lethal directed
energy weapons include lasers, high power electro-magnetic pulse and
directional acoustic weapons. One of the systems currently in use is
the SaberShot laser dazzler – this hand held or weapon mounted low-power
device uses 250Mw of 532nm green-laser. When directed at the target,
the laser's optics temporarily expand to generate a blinding light
which penetrates smoke, fog at twice the range of white light.
Modulation of such high intensity light cause disorientation, dazzle
and blink reaction that reduces the target's activity. Such weapon
could be used to disorient and degrade performance of potential
threats, such as snipers, or RPG launchers.
 Other laser-guided directed-energy
weapons work like "artificial lightning" to disable human targets or
electronic circuits. Laser Induced Plasma Channel (LIPC) technology
was developed by Ionatron to channel electrical energy through the
air at the target. The interaction of the air and laser light at
specific wavelength, causes light to break into filaments, which
form a plasma channel that conducts the energy like a virtual wire.
This technology can be adjusted for non-lethal or lethal use. LIPC
operate at line of sight, allowing propagation of electrical pulses
to be directed at a specific target. LPIC based weapon could, in
theory, be fired around corners if mirrors were used.
Directed microwave energy is also utilized for
non lethal weapon system applications. Raytheon's
Active denial System (ADS) is
a non lethal, counter-personnel directed energy non-lethal weapon
which can be used to protect fixed positions or from mobile as well
as airborne platforms, against human targets at distances
beyond the effective range of small arms. A similar system is
currently at an initial development phase at applied physics lab of
the the Israeli Technion.
Directed Acoustic Weapons
In the past, acoustic non lethal weapons were primarily used as
"flash bang" weapons. When blasted over a crowd or in a room, they
created a loud noise and bright flash incapacitated people exposed
to the effect for a few seconds. Flash bang charges are used on
forced entry and counter-terror operations, when hostages are
involved. As they indiscriminately hit every human exposed to the
effect, operation of "flash-bang" requires precise timing and
procedures to maximize effect on hostiles and eliminate potential
damage to friendly forces.
Currently, acoustics are far more
advanced than mere noise. Following the impressive technology
advancement in solid state electronics, advanced acoustic systems
are becoming operational. In 2004 American soldiers in Iraq were
equipped with a Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) used for land
based and naval applications. LARD works like a highly directional,
high power megaphone, able to blast sounds (such as crowd-dispersal
instructions in Arabic) in a narrow beam and with great clarity at a
deafening 150 decibels (50 times the human threshold of pain). LRAD
can also create deafening noises which can incapacitate people
within 300 meters by "firing" short bursts of intense acoustic
energy.
A different acoustic weapon is the
vehicle mounted Acoustic Blaster, developed by PRIMEX Physics
International. This weapon can be used for area denial, and against
selected groups in crowds, mobs and rioters or in a hostile
situation. The weapon can be operated by a single person. So far the
system was developed as a prototype consisting of an array of four
combustion detonation driven devices fired simultaneously or
independently. The detonation creates an acoustic pressure of up to
165dB at a distance of 15 meters. The resulting acoustic pressure
waveform can be optimized for acoustic-physiological coupling to
targets for antipersonnel applications. The US Air Force Research
Laboratory (ARL) is also working on a Sequential Arc Discharge
Acoustic Generator (SADAG) which produces high-intensity impulsive
sound waves generated by electrical means.
A different
acoustic
weapon is the high
power acoustic phased array of 36 horns which can focus the acoustic
output at the target. The high power noise created within the target
can incapacitate humans from a standoff range. The system can be
mounted on a tactical vehicle, and radiate a narrow, high power steerable acoustic beam, disorientating humans. Both horizontal and
vertical beams can be formed simultaneously to create a point effect
within buildings.
A different application is the
shockwave weapon, employing the
Vortex Ring Gun system. Generating
high power shockwave propagating at supersonic speed, Vortex ring
Guns can generate high pressures which inflict considerable damage
to a target, or carry a payload of kinetic or chemical agents over a
distance beyond 20 meters. |
