I just got this email from the DoD. It's called an eFormation, and they send them to me about 4 times a year. Anyway, this is something that was in the email. I just thought it was kind of cool. EQUIPMENT/MILITARY INITIATIVES BODY MICROWAVE A nonlethal weapon that toasts the enemy A focused beam fired from this large antenna causes an intense burning feeling that strongly compels the bad guy to get a move on. The Active Denial System directs its energy at a wavelength of about one millimeter, with a frequency of 95 gigahertz, which, upon penetrating the skin at a depth of only 1/64 of an inch, causes an intense burning sensation. Initially, the skin simply seems to become warmer but in a second or less escalates to an unbearable level of heat. The targeted individual at this point instinctively moves from the direction of the beam, and once out of the way, the sensation suddenly ceases. Short of completely crouching behind a wall, no shield exists. Holding up something as a barrier fails because the hands are still affected, while wearing thick clothing does not work because the beam passes right through. An expert panel addressed studies involving more than 10,700 human exposures on 700-plus volunteers. Of those, only eight instances of injury were reported, said Stephanie Miller, technology advisor for the Radio Frequency Radiation Branch at the Air Force Research Laboratory. The Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Directorate in Quantico, Va., is working to prepare the system for deployment to effectively combat insurgents and enable U.S. forces to achieve mission accomplishment, according to Col. Kirk Hymes, director of the Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Directorate. He also emphasized that continual operations in peacekeeping and combat missions overseas highlight the need for this technology to enhance the limited shout-and-shoot alternatives Marines are given.
