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US Military Tests Non-Lethal Heat Ray

Posted by Zonk on from the assembled-by-acme dept.

URSpider writes "CNN and the BBC are reporting on a US military test of a new antipersonnel heat ray. The weapon focuses non-lethal millimeter-wave radiation onto humans, raising their skin surface temperature to an uncomfortable 130 F. The goal is to make the targets drop any weapons and flee the scene. The device was apparently tested on two soldiers and a group of ten reporters, which makes me wonder how thoroughly this thing has been safety tested. The government is also appealing to the scientific community for help in creating another innovative military technology: artificial 'black ice'. They hope to deploy the 'ice' in chase scenarios to slow fleeing vehicles." We discussed the military's certification to use the device last month.

4 of 420 comments (clear)

  1. Here come the hypocrits by onyxruby · · Score: 1, Troll

    Just wait, a non lethal weapon was developed that won't kill people. Now people will complain that it causes pain. Well, what would you rather have, pain or death?

  2. Is this well thought out? by Lance_Denmark · · Score: 0, Troll

    Oh great! So these terrorists hate America and try and kill coalition soldiers and we respond by giving them a free suntan. This makes me sick.

  3. Re:Useful Against Insurgencies by TheLink · · Score: 0, Troll

    Why is it so promising?

    The reason why the US is having problems ( in Iraq or wherever) is not really because of technology. It's because the people in charge are either evil or incompetent.

    It's like a company with lots of employees that hate the Management. And now Management decides to buy expensive technology to fix that...

    "The floggings will continue till morale improves".

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  4. Re:What it'll be used for by TheLink · · Score: 1, Troll

    And this is why the US is having so much trouble in Iraq.

    The people in charge are either evil or incompetent.

    They take over Iraq (lying about the reasons). They don't listen to the experienced generals. They then tell the surrendered Iraqi army, "get lost!". Then they send young "cowboys" into the crappy situation, so the cowboys end up shooting random Iraqis just to "teach them a lesson"/"Show them whose boss"/"avenge my best buddy Joe" etc.

    All the problems are not because of the lack of technology.

    Lastly what's with all this War on Hearts and Minds, War on Terror, War on Drugs, War on Crime? Sound just like those Jihad-loving bunch.

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