8.3 Ground Microwave Weapons
773
This unit is installed on a special van or a Hummer vehicle (Fig. 8.8). Highfrequency electromagnetic oscillations used in the ADS do not harm the victim, but
cause them to experience the unbearable heat; this is why this development is known
as the ray of pain or heat ray. This development can be considered one of the safest
types of weapons used today. It doesn’t cause cancer or alter human genes, which
could have adverse effects on the victim’s kids. In order to increase safety, the time
of operation of the active denial system can be forcibly limited to 3 s.
Unlike rubber bullets or batons and tear gas, this type of weapon is safe even
for pregnant women. However, it is obvious that the use of such rays in practice
can cause panic in the crowd. As a result, this illegal weapon can cause even more
victims than a traditional bomb after its use.
Active Denial System is only one of the weapons developed within the special
American program of Controlled Effects Weapons [14]. The weapon is a unit that
emits electromagnetic oscillations in the millimeter wave range with a high frequency
(94 GHz), which has a short-term shock effect on people. The principle of operation
of this non-lethal weapon consists in that upon the contact of the beam generated by
the unit with the victim’s skin, at least 80% of the energy of the beam is absorbed by
the victim’s epidermis, heating it to an unbearable temperature [14].
The effect produced by this beam is known as “immediate and highly motivated
rescue behavior.” The journalist refers to this phenomenon as “Goodbye effect.”
The Pentagon conducted certification tests of the ADS unit on volunteers (military
personnel and reservists), who experienced a painful shock and a reflex desire to
immediately escape from the affected area under irradiation. About 10 thousands
of tests performed demonstrated that the pain threshold was reached within 3 s of
radiation; after 5 s, the pain became unbearable. However, only in 6 cases the subjects
received weak burns in the form of redness and swelling of the skin; in one case,
even a second-degree burn was received.
The tested experimental ADS complex referred to as System 1 is installed on
the chassis of a Hummer vehicle and equipped with the antenna system capable
of forming a beam with a diameter of 2 m, the effective range of which is 500
meters. Small-sized microwave complex can be installed on the chassis of the Stryker
armored vehicle, as well as on air and space platforms. It is planned to install a more
powerful ADS complex on the special aircraft AC-130.
During the tests, various tactical methods of using the ADS microwave unit in
combat operations were tested to support the offensive, suppress firing points, and
disrupt counterattacks. However, the main purpose of the unit is the remote dispersal
of a hostile crowd and the removal of civilians from controlled objects. The issue of
the means of protection from ADS remains open. The radiation of this wavelength
is quickly absorbed by water-containing materials, and relatively effective means of
protection can be manufactured even in field conditions.
The existence of the ADS program was first revealed to the press in 2001; however,
the details remained secret. The first combat microwave unit for remote non-lethal
effect on people passes certification of the US Air Force to be used in Iraq. 40
million US dollars have been spent on development of the Active Denial System
(ADS) during the last 10 years. According to BBC representatives, the tests have
773
This unit is installed on a special van or a Hummer vehicle (Fig. 8.8). Highfrequency electromagnetic oscillations used in the ADS do not harm the victim, but
cause them to experience the unbearable heat; this is why this development is known
as the ray of pain or heat ray. This development can be considered one of the safest
types of weapons used today. It doesn’t cause cancer or alter human genes, which
could have adverse effects on the victim’s kids. In order to increase safety, the time
of operation of the active denial system can be forcibly limited to 3 s.
Unlike rubber bullets or batons and tear gas, this type of weapon is safe even
for pregnant women. However, it is obvious that the use of such rays in practice
can cause panic in the crowd. As a result, this illegal weapon can cause even more
victims than a traditional bomb after its use.
Active Denial System is only one of the weapons developed within the special
American program of Controlled Effects Weapons [14]. The weapon is a unit that
emits electromagnetic oscillations in the millimeter wave range with a high frequency
(94 GHz), which has a short-term shock effect on people. The principle of operation
of this non-lethal weapon consists in that upon the contact of the beam generated by
the unit with the victim’s skin, at least 80% of the energy of the beam is absorbed by
the victim’s epidermis, heating it to an unbearable temperature [14].
The effect produced by this beam is known as “immediate and highly motivated
rescue behavior.” The journalist refers to this phenomenon as “Goodbye effect.”
The Pentagon conducted certification tests of the ADS unit on volunteers (military
personnel and reservists), who experienced a painful shock and a reflex desire to
immediately escape from the affected area under irradiation. About 10 thousands
of tests performed demonstrated that the pain threshold was reached within 3 s of
radiation; after 5 s, the pain became unbearable. However, only in 6 cases the subjects
received weak burns in the form of redness and swelling of the skin; in one case,
even a second-degree burn was received.
The tested experimental ADS complex referred to as System 1 is installed on
the chassis of a Hummer vehicle and equipped with the antenna system capable
of forming a beam with a diameter of 2 m, the effective range of which is 500
meters. Small-sized microwave complex can be installed on the chassis of the Stryker
armored vehicle, as well as on air and space platforms. It is planned to install a more
powerful ADS complex on the special aircraft AC-130.
During the tests, various tactical methods of using the ADS microwave unit in
combat operations were tested to support the offensive, suppress firing points, and
disrupt counterattacks. However, the main purpose of the unit is the remote dispersal
of a hostile crowd and the removal of civilians from controlled objects. The issue of
the means of protection from ADS remains open. The radiation of this wavelength
is quickly absorbed by water-containing materials, and relatively effective means of
protection can be manufactured even in field conditions.
The existence of the ADS program was first revealed to the press in 2001; however,
the details remained secret. The first combat microwave unit for remote non-lethal
effect on people passes certification of the US Air Force to be used in Iraq. 40
million US dollars have been spent on development of the Active Denial System
(ADS) during the last 10 years. According to BBC representatives, the tests have