The ADS works by firing a high-powered beam of electromagnetic radiation in the form
of high-frequency millimeter waves at 95 GHz[8] (a
wavelength of 3.2 mm). Similar to the same way that a
microwave oven heats food, the millimeter waves excite the
water and fat molecules in the body, instantly heating it and
causing intense pain. (Note that while microwaves will
penetrate human tissue and remove the water to "cook" the flesh,
the millimeter waves used in ADS are blocked by cell density and
only penetrate the top layers of skin, so it will not damage human
flesh.) Such is the nature of dielectric heating that the
temperature of a target will continue to rise so long as the beam
is applied, at a rate dictated by the target's material and
distance, along with the beam's frequency and power level set by
the operator. Like all focused energy, the beam will irradiate all
matter in the targeted area, including everything beyond/behind it
that is not shielded, with no possible discrimination between
individuals, objects or materials, although highly conductive
materials such as aluminium cooking foil should reflect this
radiation and could be used to make clothing that would be
protective against this radiation.[9] As
demonstrated on Discovery Channel's "Future Weapons", all living
things in the target area receive a similar dosage of
radiation.
A spokesman for the Air Force Research Laboratory
described his experience as a test subject for the system:
"For the first millisecond, it just felt like the skin was
warming up. Then it got warmer and warmer and you felt like it was
on fire.... As soon as you're away from that beam your skin returns
to normal and there is no pain."
Many aspects of the research are classified, but AFRL has taken
care to include independent evaluation of the maker's claims in the
formal test program. According to public releases, there have been
over 10,700 "shots" by ADS,[10]
and has been deemed safe for use. A Penn State
Human Effects Advisory Panel (HEAP) has published findings of
research showing
The HEAP has concluded that ADS is a non-lethal weapon that has
a high probability of effectiveness with a low probability of
injury.[11]
The ADS is currently only a vehicle-mounted weapon, though U.S.
Marines and police are both working on portable
versions.[12]
On September 22, 2004, Raytheon was granted an FCC license to
demonstrate the technology to "law enforcement, military and
security organizations."[13]
On October 4, 2004, the United States Department
of Defense published the following contract
information:
A fully operational and mounted version of the system was
demonstrated on January 24, 2007, at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia,
United
States. A Reuters correspondent who volunteered
to be shot with the beam during the demonstration described it as
"similar to a blast from a very hot oven – too painful to bear
without diving for cover."[15]
On June 21, 2010, Lt. Col. John Dorrian, a spokesman for then
NATO forces commander Gen. Stanley McChrystal, confirmed in
an e-mail to Wired Magazine reporter Noah Shachtman that the ADS
was deployed in Afghanistan. The spokesman added however that the
system has not yet been used operationally.[15]
The ADS has been removed from service in Afghanistan as of July
25, 2010. A spokesperson for the United States Department of
Defense said "The decision to recall the weapons back to the US was
made by commanders on the ground in Afghanistan."[16]
ADS has been designed as non-lethal, non-persistent method of
crowd control and perimeter defense, "the gap between shouting and
shooting." Other crowd control methods - including tear gas,
water cannons slippery foam and
rubber bullets - carry implicit
dangers of injury or accidental death, and often leave residue or
residual materiel. ADS can be used to disperse a crowd or to move
them from an area; a mob can be dispersed or induced to leave the
street without damage to personnel or the environment.
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The effects of this radio frequency on humans have been studied
by the military for years, and much, but not all of the research
has been published openly in peer-reviewed journals.[17]
Some critics[who?] believe the
development of such an expensive and complicated system for a
single purpose does not seem plausible, as the water
cannon has proven to be an effective (though
occasionally unsafe) riot control tool.[citation needed] Another
news article criticized the sheer amount of time it is taking to
field this system, citing the potential it had to avert a great
deal of pain and suffering in volatile areas around the
world.[18]
Although the effects are described as simply 'unpleasant', the
device has the ‘Potential for Death’.[19]
The beam is claimed to only affect one individual for a short
moment, but safety presets and features can be overridden by the
operator.[20]
While it is claimed not to cause burns under 'ordinary
use',[20][21]
it is also described as being similar to that of an incandescent
light bulb being pressed against the skin,[8]
which can cause severe burns in just a few seconds. The beam can be
focused up to 700 meters away, and is said to penetrate thick
clothing although not walls.[22]
At 95 GHz, the frequency is
much higher than the 2.45 GHz of a microwave oven. This
frequency was chosen because it penetrates less than 1/64 of an
inch (0.4 mm),[23]
which - in most humans, except for eyelids and babies - avoids the
second skin layer (the dermis) where critical structures are found
such as nerve endings and blood vessels.
The early methodology of testing, in which volunteers were asked
to remove glasses, contact lenses and metallic objects
that could cause hot spots, raised concerns as to whether the
device would remain true to its purpose of non-lethal temporary
incapacitation if used in the field where safety precautions would
not be taken. However, these tests were early in the program and
part of a thorough and methodical process to demonstrate the safety
and effectiveness of the technology, which has now involved more
than 600 volunteer subjects and some 10,200 exposures. As safety
was demonstrated in each step of the process, restrictions were
removed, and now, according to ADS proponents, there are no
restrictions or precautions necessary for volunteers experiencing
the effect.[24]
Long-term exposure to the beam may cause more serious damage,
especially to sensitive tissues, such as those of the eyes. Two
people have received second degree burns after exposure to the
device.[21][25]
(The actual number of injuries, according to Dr. Stephanie Miller
of AFRL/RDHR, is a total of eight—the two previously mentioned, and
six others, who healed without medical intervention.)[citation needed]
In addition, some claim that subjects who have body piercings,
jewelry or tattoos are likely to have serious skin damage. Tattooed
people can suffer from serious injuries and become seriously ill
due to high amounts of toxic waste released from heated/melted
tattoo pigment.[citation needed] Human
effects testing on the large-scale version of ADT included more
than 11,000 exposures on over 700 volunteers. Both laboratory
research and full- scale test results demonstrated that there is
only a 0.1% chance of injury from a System 1 or System 2
exposure.[26]
Critics cite that, although the stated intent of the ADS is to
be a non-lethal device designed to temporarily incapacitate,
modifications or incorrect use by the operator could turn the ADS
into a more damaging weapon that could violate international
conventions on warfare (although at this time, ADS has gone through
numerous treaty compliance reviews and legal reviews by AF/JAO, and
in all cases complies with every treaty and law).[27]
Some have focused on the lower threshold of use which may lead
those who use them (especially civilian police) to become
"trigger-happy", especially in dealing with peaceful protesters.
Others have focused on concerns that weapons whose operative
principle is that of inflicting pain (though "non-lethal") might be
useful for such purposes as torture, as
they leave no evidence of use, but undoubtedly have the capacity to
inflict horrific pain on a restrained subject. According to Wired
Magazine, the Active Denial System has been rejected for fielding
in Iraq due to Pentagon fears that it would be regarded as an
"instrument of torture".[28]
Defense contractor Raytheon has
developed a smaller version of the ADS, the Silent Guardian. This
stripped-down model is primarily marketed for use by law
enforcement agencies, the military and other security providers.
The system is operated and aimed with a joystick and aiming screen.
The device can be used for targets up to 550 m
away.[8]
LA County jail is now installing the smaller-sized unit on the
ceiling of their jail. http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local-beat/New-Laser-Weapon-Debuts-in-LA-County-Jail-101230974.html
Michael Hanlon — who volunteered to experience its effects —
described it as "a bit like touching a red-hot wire, but there is
no heat, only the sensation of heat." Raytheon says that pain
ceases instantly upon removal of the ray; still, Hanlon reported
that the finger he subjected "was tingling hours later."[29]