US Deploys 'Heat-Ray' In Afghanistan 406
Koreantoast writes "The United States military has deployed Raytheon's newly developed Active Denial System (ADS), a millimeter-wave, 'non-lethal' heat-ray, to Afghanistan. The weapon generates a 'burning sensation' that is supposedly harmless, with the military claiming that the chance of injury is at less than 0.1%; numerous volunteers including reporters over the last several years have experienced its effects during various trials and demonstrations. While US military spokesperson Lt. Col. John Dorrian states that the weapon has not yet been operationally used, the tense situation in theater will ensure its usage soon enough. Proponents of ADS believe the system may help limit civilian deaths in counterinsurgency operations and provide new, safer ways to disperse crowds and control riots, but opponents fear that the system's long-term effects are not fully known and that the device may even be used for torture. Regardless, if ADS is successful in the field, we'll probably see this mobile microwave at your next local protest or riot."
Yes, but... (Score:5, Funny)
What? (Score:5, Funny)
I'm a bit concerned... (Score:5, Funny)
I'm a bit concerned about how this might interact with my tinfoil hat... and cod piece!
The chances of anything coming from Mars (Score:1, Funny)
The chances of anything coming from Mars...
Yup, heat ray is absolutely safe!
Extensively tested (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Yes, but... (Score:3, Funny)
... is the defrost setting any good?
To hell with that how's the popcorn setting?
It's all a PITA (Score:4, Funny)
This is why I prefer the M-60 machine gun. After firing a few thousand rounds of 7.62mm NATO down the street, all you need to clean up is a firehose.
Re:Failure rate? (Score:2, Funny)
The 870 local people in the crowd are dispersed by the cops and unhurt. Of the 130 bused-in 'anarchists' who remain to 'fight the pig' maybe 10-20% are hurt. Unfortunately, not hurt enough that they won't bus off to the next 'demo' the next week to break more windows and create gratuitous mayhem.
I know folks do love their non-lethal weapons these days but there's something to be said for busting some punk's scalp open with a nightstick and leaving him with knots on his head to remind him to not fuck with the man. Compare and contrast with tazing which leaves them caterwauling and screeching about their rights and lawsuits. Good old nightstick liberally applied to the noggin leaves them bleeding, dazed, confused and generally subdued.
Re:Bah. (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Bah. (Score:2, Funny)
An investment in intel won't necessarily stop riots
This is why I support AMD.
Re:You can protect yourself from the ADS (Score:2, Funny)
Given that the guide also mentions nerve control and implants, I'm going to have to put its credibility around the foil hat level.
(Honestly, instinct says cotton shirt + iron filings + microwaves = OH GOD MY SHIRT IS ON FIRE)
Re:What? (Score:5, Funny)
My years of playing AD&D taught me that most desert dwellers often have fire immunity, and that extends to side effects of fire and heat related effects, so I'm not sure this ray will be very effective over there.
Re:And so it goes.... (Score:2, Funny)
Awesome! (Score:3, Funny)
Re:What? (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Yes, but... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:"Put your hand in the box." (Score:3, Funny)
Was there are old lady administering the test? Did she have a little needle at your neck?
On a related note, having any weird dreams lately?
Comment removed (Score:3, Funny)
Re:You can protect yourself from the ADS (Score:3, Funny)
The page looks well-written, but sentences like "It probably shields against remote activation of implants" make me kind of suspicious.
Fortunately, they seem to be giving good advice: "Covering yourself with tinfoil or Mylar, for example, is a great way to get noticed and stereotyped. [...] There are situations where it’s appropriate to bring others’ attention to the stalking-related events in your life. However, if you link every incident to a vast conspiracy against you, you’ll be perceived as paranoid or delusional." Really! :D
Re:Sounds ominously familiar... (Score:3, Funny)