Report: Pentagon’s burn weapon could end up in police hands

By Daniel Tencer
Wednesday, September 30th, 2009 -- 8:34 pm
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pentagon old Report: Pentagons burn weapon could end up in police handsA powerful hand-held weapon being developed by the Pentagon could end up in police hands, says a report in a UK science journal.

The Pentagon's Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Directorate has been developing the Thermal Laser System since 2005, with the purpose of developing a weapon that could disperse crowds or incapacitate individuals by causing them to experience burning sensations in their skin.

According to NewScientist magazine, the weapon has evolved into a rifle-mounted instrument, and there are plans for a hand-held model that could be used by police forces.

News of the possibility that police departments could obtain the burn weapon will likely concern civil-liberties advocates, who have been watching with alarm as the Taser conducted-energy weapon has gone into regular use in police forces across the United States.

As NewScientist notes, the weapon is still in the testing phase and kinks have yet to be worked out.

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The Gizmag blog reported last week that "the infrared [rays] of the Thermal Laser System can be blocked by clothing – fine if you’re trying to subdue a group of nudists, but problematic otherwise."

NewScientist reports:

[T]ests at the Air Force Research Laboratory's human effectiveness lab have established that the skin heating effect causes no permanent damage - suggesting it may have "military utility". The tests also highlighted areas in need of improvement before troops can use it, says lab manager Semih Kumru - though what those features are has not been revealed.

The proposed system is rifle mounted, with a sight above it and a visible low-power laser beam that the soldier uses to aim the invisible infrared laser. The solid-state laser system is battery-powered, and could become hand-held "in the near future"...

"I'd like to know why they want another advanced pain compliance weapon like this," says Steve Wright, non-lethal weapons analyst at Leeds Metropolitan University in the UK. "Persuading by pain rather than brain - through conversation - has led to push-button torture in the past. If it leaves no mark on the skin how will anyone prove it's been abused?"

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Story comments are below...

  • turnip
    Joystick policing. They can't handle a Taser properly, and they may be getting this.
    Our cops are collection agents with guns, nothing more. Any good that is done is accidental, and only in the protection of commerce.
  • Abraham Ben Judea
    All it is, is a portable cooking device. It's fun when you are the only one who has one. Wait til 'they' get the tables turned. Look what happened with the rifle and the H bomb. Two guys on roof tops, same tech, aimed at the police line.
  • Lyman
    Hey what's the big deal? We all know that microwave
    radiation is safe. And even if it isn't and they all develop
    cancer later on down the line, so what. They were protesting
    and so will be getting what they deserve.
    This is Amerika, the "Land of the Free", don't cha know?
  • kensill
    this is the land of the free and you want to punish protesters? Protesting non-violently is what good democracy is about! when you are not allowed to hold opposition then you are not free.
  • jetblack
    America is gone. Enjoy the facist state that results from Dems confronting conservatives like ineffectual pussies.
  • overdoneputaforkinit
    Verbal communication is first for provoking a facial expression or emotional shock leading to a small but sudden movement. This can then justify the officer yelling to get down on the ground put your hands behind your back. And since a surprised and dumbfounded person would not comply fast enough, such will justify the use of many of the torture devices that will soon be attached to the policeman's belt to subdue the "non-compliant subject."

    By an officer using such sneaky escalation, an internal review will find the officer did nothing wrong and followed proper police protocol in case the target files a complaint. Back at the station club they will hope for and expect some member in the group to bring back a good story to laugh over. Unofficial police motto will be "Too many torture devices, too little time."
  • vkobaya
    Given the vicious, sadistic nature of police, I have no doubt that they will aim for the face and eyes.
  • Phil E. Drifter
    Big deal, it's only the sensation of burning. Would have little effect on people like myself who regularly put cigarettes out on his arm. When will this weapon be available for purchase to the public? This is a handheld weapon just like any other, if the police can use it, then the people (2nd amendment) can.
  • jetblackk
    gee you're cool, freakshow.
  • Phil E. Drifter
    This response was so eloquent I nearly shat myself.

    I have put a few cigarettes out on myself in the past; it really has nothing to do with anything, I'm just amazed you took the time to add such an insightful comment to the discussion.
  • kensill
    there are very few people who regularly put cigarettes out on their skin. And if you think YOU will have an arsenal rivaling the Police you are mistaken.
  • Phil E. Drifter
    I was being facetious with the 'i put cigarettes out on my arm' remark, but really, did you guys even read the article? If you had, you'd have seen "The Gizmag blog reported last week that "the infrared [rays] of the Thermal Laser System can be blocked by clothing – fine if you’re trying to subdue a group of nudists, but problematic otherwise." But I was being serious about the whole 2nd amendment thing. People can buy guns, people can buy tasers (see budk.com) so people should be able to buy these from their local firearms dealers as well.

    facetious -adjective
    1. not meant to be taken seriously or literally: a facetious remark.
    2. amusing; humorous.
    3. lacking serious intent; concerned with something nonessential, amusing, or frivolous: a facetious person.
  • kensill
    did YOU read the article? you tube the heat ray gun...(isaw it on the freaking discovery channel) this may become the torture of the future, no marks on the"victim" and you still think you will have the arsenal the police do because of the second amendment? Blackwater took the guns out of people houses after Katrina... Guns will never be the answer.
  • Phil E. Drifter
    Why yes, I did read the article. I thought I'd proved that by quoting from it.

    The 'freaking discovery channel'? have they expanded their cable market with another discovery channel? Not just 'the discovery channel' but the freaking discovery channel?
  • edward
    That might work...then again, someone may call your heat ray and raise you a fire bomb.
  • nader paul kucinich gravel
    Single-payer GRAYSON Single-payer

    ...It would have been just too damn expensive to remove all that asbestos from the Twin Towers...

    As the 9/12 Tea Party looks into the events of 9/11 they have many questions concerning the Official Story.
    They know not to trust the Government & Media.
    Only the guilty fear inquiry.

    An ill wind comes arising
    Across the cities of the plain
    There's no swimming in the heavy water
    No singing in the acid rain
    Red alert
    Red alert
  • "If it leaves no mark on the skin how will anyone prove it’s been abused?” "

    Excellent question!
  • kensill
    wow, the last paragraph really rings true.
  • kayttt2000
    They LIE and LIE some more..
    They have BURN weapons all ready developed and have had for many years..

    This is how it goes,,
    There wanting to put some hand held burn weapon in the hands of law on the ground,,
    This provides the Pentagon an opportunity to use there long range burn weapons,,via satellites hiding under the law enforcement on the ground..

    A crowd of people can't have unexplained burning,,

    It appears the United States Pentagon has declared WAR on the citizens of the USA..

    As I have had this weapon and many others used on me via the Pentagon working with the CIA..
    I can say,,they have the burning machine,the pain machine,the sting machine,,etc,,etc that there able to use via satellites and vary the amount of this suffering..

    They have an entire arsenal of weapons all ready developed that they can use with satellites upon the citizens of the USA..
    They just need cover,,this provides them the opportunity to open there arsenal on the American people..

    Time to shut down and investigate the Pentagon..
    The Pentagon is 100% working with the CIA,,
    Not only was I subjected to the Pentagon using all there weapons,,they are also guilty of making weather which has caused destruction,crippling and death upon the citizens of the USA.

    I demand that both of these agencies be shut down for investigation immediately..!
    I also charge the Pentagon for technologies of Mk Ultra and SSSS...

    The above applies to the NSA also...
    All three agencies have declared WAR upon the Citizens of the USA,,,

    I'm currently under protective custody,being protected from the NSA,CIA and PENTAGON..
  • watcher
    I watched the youtube video ( do a search on 'the heat ray gun' ). the heat went right through the guys clothes!
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