| The Active Denial System or as it also called ADS is | | | | and warmer and you felt like it was on fire. As |
| a less-lethal, directed-energy weapon that was | | | | soon as you're away from that beam your skin |
| instituted by the United States military. It is a strong | | | | returns to normal and there is no pain.". Though the |
| millimeter-wave transmitter generally utilized for | | | | effects can be unpleasant, Active Denial System has |
| crowd control. Some Active Denial Systems such as | | | | been subject to extensive testing since it was put in |
| HPEM ADS are also put in place to disable vehicles. It | | | | place more than 12 years ago. Much of the research |
| is sometimes in informal settings refered to as the | | | | have remained undisclosed, making a thorough |
| pain ray. Raytheon is at present marketing a | | | | independent evaluation of the system infeasible. The |
| reduced-range version of this kind of technology. | | | | beam's design allows it to only affect an individual for |
| There is a claim that the Active Denial System is | | | | a brief moment. This is achieved by safety presets |
| presently being considered for usage in the Iraq War. | | | | and features which maintain the effects of ADS. |
| The Active Denial System works by directing | | | | However it is possible for these settings to be |
| electromagnetic radiation, chiefly, high-frequency | | | | changed by the operator. A public release once |
| microwave radiation at a frequency of 95 GHz which | | | | declared that there have been more than 10,700 |
| is identical to a wavelength of 3.2 mm, at the | | | | "shots" by ADS. The Active Denial System is |
| intended subject(s). The waves cause a sharply, | | | | presently restricted to being operated while mounted |
| painful sensation of extreme heat on the outer most | | | | on a vehicle. The United States Marines and police are |
| layer of the skin. It does not burn the skin during | | | | both working on portable versions for use. |
| regular usage. The burning sensation that is | | | | A fully operational and mounted system was shown |
| experienced is almost identical to the feeling of an | | | | on January 24, 2007, at Moody Air Force Base, |
| incandescent light bulb being pressed directly upon | | | | Georgia, United States. A Reuters correspondent |
| the skin. The beam that is released can be aimed at | | | | who volunteered to be shot with the beam during |
| targets at a range in excess of 700 meters. The | | | | the exhibition said it was "similar to a blast from a |
| device has the capacity to penetrate thick clothing, | | | | very hot oven – too painful to bear without |
| however it is not yet able to penetrate the | | | | diving for cover." |
| thickness of a wall. At 95 GHz, its frequency is | | | | The full effects of this radio frequency on humans |
| profoundly greater than the 2.45 GHz of a | | | | have been studied by the military for a great number |
| microwave oven. | | | | of years, and some of the research has been |
| A spokesman for the Air Force Research Laboratory | | | | published in peer-reviewed journals. |
| had this to say about his experience as a test | | | | The principal objective for the development of this |
| subject for the ADS: "For the first millisecond, it just | | | | system is not entirely fathomableand as a result has |
| felt like the skin was warming up. Then it got warmer | | | | been an area of controversy. |