The US military has demonstrated the new active denial system’s (ADS) capability at Fort Eustis, Virginia, US.
During the testing, the US Army 7th Sustainment Brigade, 10th Transportation Battalion personnel as well as 733rd Mission Support Group and the Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Directorate members validated the system’s non-lethal capability onboard waterborne vessels.
Active Denial Technology uses radio frequency millimetre waves at a frequency of 95 gigahertz and penetrates the first one-sixtyfourth layer of the skin hitting the nerve receptors.
The beam creates an intolerable heating sensation, forcing the targeted individual to instinctively move.
Developed to help operating forces in reducing civilian casualties and collateral damage, the ADS also demonstrated its effectiveness and the ability to be used with minimal risk of injury.
Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Directorate experimentation officer US Navy lieutenant commander Shawn Kelley said that the ADS can avoid vessels from entering a port in maritime environment and also allows extra range for vessels to detect hostile intent prior to engaging threats with possible lethal force.
"It allows us to engage someone at a further distance with non-lethal capabilities than we can with current options," Kelley said.
"Being engaged with ADS, you instantly feel a heating sensation on the area of your body that has been hit," Kelley continued.
The ADS uses millimetre wave technology as a non-lethal compliance system and can be used in static defence, area denial, suppression of vessel and vehicle operators or occupants, critical asset protection and crowd control.
US Marine Forces Europe commander, US Marine Corps Lieutenant General RT Tryon said: "The long-range, non-lethal effect provided by the ADS system has operational relevance in a wide-range of scenarios, and we must strive to provide our forces with such options in addressing future complex operating environments."
Currently deployed at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, US, the ADS system receives maintenance and undergoes trials and evaluation to remain available to US operating forces.
Image: An Active Denial System fitted aboard a vessel. Photo: courtesy of US Air Force .
