Non-lethal weapon. Non-lethal weapon. Active Denial System

Today, the men's magazine MPORT invites you to get acquainted with a weapon curiosity, namely, an unusual non-lethal weapon that allows you to neutralize opponents with minimal harm to their health.

The Speech Jammer

Source: toptenz.net

A peculiar device was invented by Japanese scientists, which in translation into Russian is called a speech silencer. If you point this device in the direction of a constantly speaking person and press the "start" button, then after a few minutes the person begins to confuse words, stutter, and soon completely falls silent.

The Incapacitating Flashlight

Source: toptenz.net

The device was developed by the Californian company Intelligent Optical Systems. "Flashlight" with the help of powerful LEDs generates a series of light pulses of different colors and duration that are very painful for the eyes. As a result, a living target, while remaining healthy, loses orientation in space.

PHASR

Source: toptenz.net

A non-lethal laser weapon developed by the US Department of Defense. It is used to disorientate and temporarily blind the enemy. The prototype of the current PHASR rifle was the British Dazzler laser weapon, which was used to blind Argentine pilots during the Falklands War. PHASR is a low intensity laser, so the blinding effect is temporary. It is possible to change the laser wavelength.

The Active Denial System

Source: toptenz.net

Another name is "ray of pain". One of several weapons developed under the Controlled Effects Weapons program. It is an installation that emits electromagnetic oscillations in the millimeter wave range with a frequency of about 94 GHz, which has a short-term shock effect on people. The principle of operation is based on the fact that when a beam hits a person, 83% of the energy of this radiation is absorbed by the upper layer of the skin.

Howitzer XM1063

Source: toptenz.net

This is a chemical weapon based on hitting the enemy with a strong stench. The composition of the filling of the projectile includes chemical elements that, acting on the amygdala in the human brain, can cause not only unpleasant sensations to the point of intolerance, but even overwhelming fear. As a result, the victim turns to flight.

gay bombshell

Source: toptenz.net

So unofficially called chemical weapons, based on the action of powerful aphrodisiacs. When dropped on enemy troops, such bombs are supposed to cause intense sexual arousal in enemy soldiers and are supposed to stimulate homosexual behavior. At the end of 2004, this information caused a scandal in connection with the possible violation by the United States of international conventions on the nonproliferation of chemical weapons. In addition, gay organizations were outraged, who were offended by the suggestion that homosexual soldiers have less combat capability. In response to all accusations, the Pentagon said that the idea of ​​developing such a weapon was not developed.

Thunder generator

Source: toptenz.net

An Israeli non-lethal sonic weapon that generates strong sound waves and is designed to disperse crowds of rioters and demonstrators. An interesting fact is that, in fact, this tool was originally developed within the walls of one of the agro-industrial firms and was intended to scare away birds and other pests from crops.

pepper grenade

The concept of non-lethal weapons (ONLV - weapons of non-lethal impact. - Ed.) appeared in the early 1990s and was used by the TRADOC command (organization for training fighters, military analysis and strategy development) of the United States. The report of this organization stated that "during various local conflicts, the United States demonstrated its ability to defeat the enemy with minimal losses for itself." And now, they say, the US Army will have to learn how to minimize losses among enemy troops and civilians.

Non-lethal weapons are modern weapons, the action of which is based on the use of specific factors that can temporarily disable the enemy’s manpower (for example, the victim wants to run away) and affect certain properties of his material and technical equipment. Its main purpose is to humanize the conduct of hostilities. However, there are also losses. The causes leading to the death of a person when using non-lethal weapons are accidental shots, ricochets, inept handling of weapons, their illegal use, and the presence of hidden medical problems.

The main types of non-lethal weapons are traumatic, water cannons, tear gases, psychotropic substances, sound (can act up to the destruction of internal organs), microwave (super high-frequency radiation), stun grenades, thermal gun, foam gun, some types of lasers and genomic weapons.

Many of these types - traumatics, water cannons, stun guns, tear gases, sound and stun grenades - are known to the general public, as they are in the arsenals of the police and are used in the suppression of riots or in the release of hostages. Other types are used only by the army.

For example, radio-frequency weapons are means whose damaging effect is based on the use of electromagnetic radiation of ultra-high (UHF, range 300 MHz - 30 GHz) or extremely low frequency (LF, range - less than 100 Hz). The object of destruction is manpower. This weapon depresses the work of the central nervous system - the affected hear a non-existent noise and whistle - or causes a short-term state of shock. There is evidence that it can cause heating of human skin.

Infrasonic weapons are means of mass destruction based on the use of directed radiation of powerful infrasonic vibrations with a frequency below 16 Hz. It affects the central nervous system and digestive organs, causes headaches, pain in the internal organs, disrupts the rhythm of breathing, and also leads to loss of self-control and panic.

The main purpose of non-lethal weapons is the humanization of warfare

Geophysical weapons - the use of the destructive forces of inanimate nature through artificially caused changes in the physical properties and processes occurring in the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere of the Earth (magnetic storms, earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis). As an option - meteorological weapons (used during the Vietnam War in the form of seeding supercooled clouds with silver iodide microcrystals) - for targeted action on the weather in order to reduce the quantity and quality of agricultural products.

The action of sonic weapons is based on the emission of waves of the sonic and infrasonic range of a certain frequency. One of its representatives is the LRAD (long-range acoustic device) of the American company American Technology Corporation, used by the military and police. This sound cannon transmits warnings over many hundreds of meters and, due to unbearable volume, influences groups of people (protesters, crews of military equipment, groups of terrorists, etc.). A shooting megaphone emits impulses with a power of 150 decibels and a frequency of 2-3 thousand hertz, which can damage the hearing organs.

People close to the gun lose their temper, they develop fear, dizziness, nausea, and at close range, a mental disorder and destruction of internal organs may occur. A thermal gun in seconds heats up a person's body to a temperature of over 40 degrees Celsius, which causes an unbearable burning sensation and a desire to run away.

Non-lethal weapons also have such exotics as a foam pistol or a foam gun. It was developed in the mid-1990s, used only a few times during the US intervention in Somalia. Witnesses of combat tests noted that it was not easy to hit a moving target from such a weapon. The foam gun is arranged as follows: a backpack with a high-pressure tank filled with chemical foam is put on the fighter's back. The tank is connected to a nozzle, which the operator directs at the target. The foam hits the object and instantly hardens.

In Russia, non-lethal electromagnetic weapons are also being tested - in the 12th Central Research Institute of the Ministry of Defense. As reported in the military media, the installation is designed for non-lethal effects on humans. Extremely high frequency (EHF) electromagnetic radiation is used as a damaging factor.

A directed beam causes unbearable pain in a person. The powerful beam generated by the installation interacts with the moisture in the upper layers of human skin and penetrates only tenths of a millimeter. In this case, the impact on internal organs is completely excluded. An irradiated person feels a strong burning sensation of the skin, which can cause heat shock, and reflexively tries to hide from the damaging invisible beam. It only takes two or three seconds for a person to feel this effect. The radiation passes freely through clothing without damaging it.

The range of the damaging beam is directly dependent on the dimensions of the installation. If you need to hit the enemy's manpower at a distance of 250-300 meters, then such a generator can be placed in the passenger compartment of the Gazelle or in the Tiger armored car. The propagation of EHF radiation, unlike optical lasers, cannot be blocked by a smoke or dust screen. The generator allows you to shoot a beam from around the corner using a reflector, which is convenient when operating in the city.

non-lethal weapons

In the early 90s of the last century, the question of the use of new technologies in the field of armaments was once again raised in US military circles. One of these types was a non-lethal (non-lethal action) weapon, the use of which, according to the idea, should not lead to the death or injury of the enemy, but exclusively to his neutralization. At the Los Alamos National Laboratory, New Mexico, at the initiative of the US government, extensive research in this area has begun.

According to the US Department of Defense classification, non-lethal weapons must have one or both of the following characteristics: 1) have a relatively reversible effect on personnel or a material object; 2) acts differently on objects in their zone of influence.

Such weapons include means of chemical, mechanical, light, sound and electromagnetic effects.

According to the technological classification, these weapons are divided into:

Weapons using kinetic energy;

Electrical;

Acoustic;

directional energy;

Riot control chemicals and maldorants;

biochemical agents;

Combined technologies.

And, of course, despite the name, the use of such means does not exclude either serious injury or death.

Alvin and Heidi Toffler in their work "War and Anti-War" argue that such experiments and developments were carried out in the United States not only among professional military personnel, but also among various think tanks. In 1995, the Council on Foreign Relations sponsored a publication on non-lethal technology, stating in the preface that CFR had no opinion on the matter. Of course, other states and military blocs are also interested in the possibility of using new technologies in defense and security. In December 2004, NATO released a report that considered the possibility of using these weapons during peace enforcement operations until 2020. The document reflected five priority technologies: 1) RF devices; 2) construction of barriers (acoustic, electromagnetic, mechanical); 3) resistance to the force of adhesion; 4) electric shock; 5) networks, as well as a lot of means for use both against people and against material objects. The weapons against objects included: radio frequency devices (for disabling electronics); lasers (high power for destruction and low power for blinding people); chemicals (slippery and viscous foam, super-glutinous and super-corrosive substances, graphite powders); biological components (bacteria, destructive materials); barriers (nets, wire fences, wheel piercing systems). There are several more means of influence against manpower: microwave systems (exposure to the skin), lasers (skin burns and blinding), chemicals (poisonous substances - incapacitants, chemical riot control agents - Riot Control Agent, RCA), acoustic technologies (with psychological and physical effects); barriers (nets, airbags), kinetic agents (traumatic bullets), electric shocks, vertigo generators (acoustic and shock waves), dyes (for marking) and combined systems.

Attempts to legitimize non-lethal weapons led to the development of a certain doctrine, which is quite clearly expressed in the study of Colonel J. Siniscalci. He writes that “non-lethal weapons are characterized by accuracy, selectivity of use and versatility. The ability to control weapons and minimize the effects of violence creates a flexible military capability that can be deployed across the full spectrum of conflicts.

Non-lethal weapons allow you to choose between diplomacy and lethal outcome. It provides the flexibility to prevent a crisis from arising by creating space and time, controlling the level of violence, and bridging the gap between diplomacy and lethal force. Non-lethal weapons lend stability to sanctions and protect diplomatic efforts.

Early intervention can reduce the cost of intervention and the risk of escalation. Non-lethal means can be applied early and pre-emptive intervention, reducing the risk of lethal destruction escalating.

Non-lethal weapons can be effective in wartime. In combat, the use of weapons requires the most effective combination of lethal and non-lethal means. In situations where non-lethal weapons can provide equivalent or more effective results, they should be used.

The action of non-lethal weapons is most effective within the framework of a synergistic strategy. The non-lethal strategy must be closely coordinated and implemented in conjunction with appropriate political and economic efforts. The cumulative impact will produce a powerful coercive tool to achieve national policy goals, without any of the risks of traditional military action.

Non-lethal weapons are not a universal substitute for lethal potential. Commanders at risk must retain the means and authority to use lethal force. Adherence to a non-lethal strategy must be limited when American resources and lives are threatened.

Non-lethal technologies are not applicable in all situations. The success of non-lethal technologies depends on the specific situation, political goals, and the definition of vulnerable threats. Skillful use must take into account the vulnerability of the enemy, political goals, the results of possible unforeseen consequences, as well as compliance with international conventions. Any of these factors can make non-lethal technologies ineffective.”

If with some types of such weapons (batons, traumatic and gas weapons, water cannons, stun guns) everything is very clear, since it has long been used not only by the military, but also by the police, then some new types should be considered in more detail.

First of all, it is worth paying attention to special biochemical agents that could be used in combat conditions. The United States had already used Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. Now, research began to be carried out on the widest spectrum; among the proposed samples were agents of a calming effect and vice versa, causing discomfort: gastrointestinal convulsants, drugs that cause a painful reaction to light, strong sexual arousal, etc. Special units of the US Marine Corps and the US Army were seriously involved in these projects. And not only enemy troops were considered as a potential target for the use of such drugs.

As outlined in the Unified Non-Lethal Weapons Concept, the military has begun developing and testing various maldorant-type chemicals and delivery vehicles for potential use against enemy military forces, "potentially hostile" civilians, and to quell riots. Since the number of deaths from various US and NATO special operations is quite high not only among combatants and terrorists, but also among the civilian population, we can conclude that these maldorants were primarily considered for use against civilians during riots or in difficult situations.

However, since the United States was a signatory to the Chemical Weapons Convention, it was necessary to find loopholes in the legislation to justify the use of psychoactive substances for a wide variety of effects - from sleepy to causing hallucinations. This required the appearance of democratic debate in the army. Back in 1992, the US Army issued a draft document "Operational Concepts for Non-Lethal Means", which provided for certain allocations for the development of ammunition with side effects both for use against enemy manpower and against military equipment. The concept itself appeared as a result of rethinking the methods of warfare based on the experience of the Persian Gulf War in 1991, when the US Department of Defense approved the idea of ​​developing the doctrine of non-lethal war (soft kill). But at that time, another lobby won out in the Pentagon (partly due to public pressure to cut military spending), and the project was shelved. However, then this topic began to rise again in US military circles at various conferences and round tables. During one such meeting, Lieutenant Colonel Coppernoll stated that "drugs that cause sedative effects and gastrointestinal convulsions, when classified as a means of controlling a riot, may be acceptable." He noted that "once these technologies have been modified into actual weapons or weapon systems, the Naval Legal Services will review them for toxic properties and compliance with international laws, treaties and domestic restrictions before final approval for serial production or rejection."

As independent researchers note, maldorants (stink bombs) have already existed since the Second World War. In 1966, attempts were made in the United States to develop maldorants that were intended for certain ethnic groups. DARPA at the time was doing research on "whether cross-cultural differences are related to the sense of smell, and if so, especially in relation to bad smell, to what extent it can be used in psychological warfare." The Pentagon's interest in this type of weapon resumed after the events in Somalia. It should be noted that with the advent of new developments in the field of DNA, interest in racial weapons flared up with renewed vigor. As the director of the Swedish National Defense Research Institute, Bo Riebeck, noted in 1992, “If we can learn to distinguish between the DNA of racial and ethnic groups, we can distinguish between whites and blacks, Jews and Mongoloids, between Swedes and Finns, and develop an agent that kills only members of a particular group. In addition to the biochemical agents themselves, the means of their delivery were also developed in the United States. General Dynamics, A major U.S. weapons firm, under the Overhead Chemical Agent Dispersal System (OCADS) project, has developed an 81mm mortar with a 1.5km range and a special 120mm explosive capsule.

It should be noted that while the United States blamed other countries for the use of chemical and biological weapons, their own development and use in the armed forces of such reagents could seriously undermine the control of chemical and biological weapons.

From 1997 to 2006, the School of Social and International Studies at the University of Bradford (UK) produced a number of studies and reports and studies on non-lethal weapons, mainly chemical and biological.

The main opponent of the use of such weapons is the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. One of the organization's latest reports contains comments on the Chemical Weapons Convention, as well as laws governing the possible use of biochemical agents to suppress riots and unrest. It also states that potential paralytic agents for use as weapons could include pharmaceutical chemicals, bioregulators, and toxins. But most importantly, the report contains the opinion of the British Medical Association on the use of such substances as weapons. It states that “agents that could be used in a tactical situation without the risk of death for a person do not exist and their appearance is not possible in the near future. In this situation, it is almost impossible to use the right agent at the right dose against the right people without the risk of making mistakes in both people and dose. American scientists also convincingly proved that the so-called "non-lethal" agents are actually lethal (the study also noted that the results of the use of such agents during a special operation in Moscow in October 2002 during the assault on "Nord-Ost" showed that 15% hostage deaths were solely due to exposure to the gas).

The next type of “weapon” of non-lethal action can be attributed to an infrasonic generator that emits such low-frequency sounds that lead to loss of orientation, nausea, dizziness, unreasonable fear and loss of control over the intestines. It was called the "Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD)", that is, a sound, or acoustic, gun. This device emits pulses with a frequency of 2 to 3 thousand hertz and a power of 150 decibels, which at close range can lead to hearing damage and destruction of internal organs. Such a gun-generator was released in 2000 by the company American Technology Corporation and successfully used against pirates. In Israel, the "Scream" system was developed - an acoustic gun that emits a directed stream of high-frequency sound. It was mounted on armored personnel carriers and used to disperse Palestinian riots.

In 2005, as a result of joint efforts Sandia National Laboratories, Raytheon, Air Force Research Laboratory and the US Department of Defense, a new small-sized Active Denial System (ADS) was developed. It is based on the application of a directional beam of electromagnetic energy at 95 GHz. These millimeter radio waves are able to penetrate small areas of the skin of the face, 1/64 inch in size, where nerve receptors are located. When the beam hits open areas of the skin, the pain threshold sets in rather quickly, but this does not lead to burns and does not cause other side effects. As a result of testing on volunteers, such microwave emitters were adopted by the US Army. Other microwave weapons are capable of disrupting the brain and central nervous system, causing tinnitus, loss of vision, and similar effects. As a result, a person exposed to such an emitter instinctively tries to hide, which the US military called the "Goodbye effect".