Military Develops Non-Lethal Ray Gun

New Weapon Makes Human Targets Feel Like They're About To Catch Fire

(AP)  The military's new weapon is a ray gun that shoots a beam that makes people feel as if they will catch fire.

The technology is supposed to be harmless — a non-lethal way to get enemies to drop their weapons. Military officials say it could save the lives of innocent civilians and service members in places like Iraq and Afghanistan.

The weapon is not expected to go into production until at least 2010, but all branches of the military have expressed interest in it, officials said.

During the first media demonstration of the weapon Wednesday, airmen fired beams from a large dish antenna mounted atop a Humvee at people pretending to be rioters and acting out other scenarios U.S. troops might encounter.

The crew fired beams from more than 500 yards away, nearly 17 times the range of existing non-lethal weapons, such as rubber bullets.

While the sudden, 130-degree Fahrenheit heat was not painful, it was intense enough to make participants think their clothes were about to ignite.

"This is one of the key technologies for the future," said Marine Col. Kirk Hymes, director of the non-lethal weapons program which helped develop the new weapon. "Non-lethal weapons are important for the escalation of force, especially in the environments our forces are operating in."

The system uses millimeter waves, which can penetrate only 1/64th of an inch of skin, just enough to cause discomfort. By comparison, common kitchen microwaves penetrate several inches of skin.

The millimeter waves cannot go through walls or glass, but they can penetrate most clothing, officials said.

Two airmen and 10 reporters volunteered to be shot with the beams, which easily penetrated various layers of winter clothing.

The system was developed by the military, but the two devices currently being evaluated were built by defense contractor Raytheon.

Airman Blaine Pernell, 22, said he could have used the system during his four tours in Iraq, where he manned watchtowers around a base near Kirkuk. He said Iraqis constantly pulled up and faked car problems so they could scout out U.S. forces.

"All we could do is watch them," he said. But if they had the ray gun, troops "could have dispersed them."

[agnim]

"Well you can blame your democrats if they do because the democrats are the ones pushing for government spending.. not republicans

Posted by jason_plo at 04:47 PM : Jan 25, 2007"

Who is spending America's wealth like dollar bills grow on trees, and ARE ALWAYS running up the government deficit to historical levels?

This administration and the Reagan administrations have been the biggest spenders (especially on the military) of Americans' money!
And they have left HUGE DEFICITS to prove their big spending!


Are you one child left behind?
Has to be be the case why you so easily swallow lies and propaganda about 'liberal spending'!

[agnimsajacka]

agnim, your such a ******.

[si_guy_83]

As one of those people that volunteered in this event yesterday and the day before, I can tell you that this WILL work. I've been deployed 5 times and could have used this weapon plenty of times. As far as the way it feels, the best way I can describe it is it's like heating your oven up all the way and standing in front of it while it's opened. We felt it at 50% then at 100%, and I can tell you that there isn't a human in this world that could just stand there and take it when it's up that high...

[mrvolleyba11]

finally somebody else commenting on the IDIOT "Agnim"!!!

I don't know if this guy is an angry high school drop out who blames Bush for all the worlds problems or just a kid on mommy and daddy's computer (while ditching school)!!!

...Agmin is a true idiot no matter what the case and is constantly making the stupidest comments here everyday; but on a good note Agnim is the perfect poster child for sterilization, birth control or just saying no to drugs during pregnacy!

[agnimsajacka]

Besides, if you get hit with this delicious ray, you were probably somewhere you shouldn't have been. Would you rather get hit with a steaming hot round from a rifle, or a little heat ray that doesn't harm you? It sounds to me like you were beat up in high school a few too many times and now your all kinds of pissed off at everyone. Take that commie.

[agnimsajacka]

agnim, would you please just shut the f up? i hope someone uses that ray on your mouth. get out of america. if you want a government that throws flowers at you instead of tear gas, go to france you pansy.

[agnimsajacka]

Why is everyone worried about the government using this weapon against American citizens? If the all the U.S. government wanted to do is enslave the entire human race, the arsenal is already big enough. Let's put aside our science fiction novels for a second and look at the facts: we're fighting a war where the words "enemy" and "combatants" are not always clearly defined, so non-lethal weapons are necessary. And Agnim.....you are seriously an idiot. Stop breathing.

[Jasonian18]

Well you can blame your democrats if they do because the democrats are the ones pushing for government spending.. not republicans so you guys want more democratic control fine enjoy being shot by the weapons of your own demise ... the new Ray Gun.

[cantshutup]

wonder how long till they decide to use it on us???

[lochlan-2009]

Another scientist collects his millions at the cost of enslaving the rest of us just a little bit more. I'm quite afraid of the government of the future, soon we'll be fried just for thinking the wrong way.

[olebd]

At least for now because it's so freakin' big, you will have ample warning and a better chance of getting away from it before it is deployed on you.

[agnim]

"We'll end up like the Israeli's...always looking over our shoulders.

Posted by sajawebb at 06:59 PM : Jan 24, 2007"
Actually we are like the insane Israelis already.

The whole country is paranoid. That is why it was so easy for a certified idiot to be the so-called 'leader' of 300m inhabitants: Paranoid Americans are easily led mislead into the abyss by means of fear-mongering. LOL

And yes, those weapons will most certainly be used on Americans, and frequently as is done with the tazers now!

These guns makes it easier for our government thugs to TORTURE FELLOW AMERICANS!

[jimibear]

"Scotty, set phasers to "uncomfortable!"
Posted by thomderr at 01:02 AM : Jan 25, 2007
+ report this comment"


Hee hee hee.

[olebd]

It slices, it dices, it feel better than a hug from mom!

[olebd]

I hope this won't contribute to global warming :)

[mnelsonix]

I can't wait for the consumer version. I'll use at the movies when that jackass in front of me answers his cell phone...or on those kids that take twelve minutes to use a crosswalk...or the neighbors dog when he's about to leave a biscuit on my lawn. Heck, there are a million and one uses for this!

[mitch0927]

Wonder what happens if they fille their pockets up with some Orville Redenbocker?

[rf35]

I've heard of this thing, but the article I read last year said it felt like your skin was actually on fire. Painful even for desert folks. Maybe this was a toned-down version so the volunteers wouldn't be hurt too bad. Ratchet up the power or move closer than 500 yards and it'll probably hurt more. Don't worry Kaliveotin, I'm sure there's a secret microwave version that cooks you from the inside.

[bluestardad]

Tin Soldiers and Nixon Coming

[kaliveotin]

Non-lethal??? Right. The public version, maybe.
Soon they'l be using it on american protesters. We won't see the real weapon until protestors become seen as dangerous again, as they were before Kent State. At that time the government will bring out the more serious secret version.