The Active Denial System or as it also known ADS is a less-lethal, directed-energy weapon that was created by the United States military. It is a strong millimeter-wave transmitter mainly deployed for crowd control. Some Active Denial Systems such as HPEM ADS are also utilized to disable vehicles. It is sometimes colloquially referred to as the pain ray. Raytheon is at present marketing a reduced-range version of this type of technology. It has been said that the Active Denial System is presently being considered for use in the Iraq War.
The Active Denial System functions by directing electromagnetic radiation, mainly, high-frequency microwave radiation at a frequency of 95 GHz which is identical to a wavelength of 3.2 mm, at the intended subject(s). The waves cause a severely painful sensation of extreme heat on the epidermis. It does not burn the skin during regular usage. The burning sensation that is experienced is almost identical to the feeling of an incandescent light bulb being pressed upon the skin. The beam that is emitted can be pointed at targets at a range in excess of 700 meters. The device is capable of penetrating thick clothing; however, it is not yet able to penetrate the thickness of a wall. At 95 GHz, its frequency is exceedingly greater than the 2.45 GHz of a microwave oven.
A spokesman for the Air Force Research Laboratory said this about his experience as a test subject for the ADS: “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.”Though the effects can be unpleasant, Active Denial System has been subject to extensive testing since it was put in place more than 12 years ago. Many areas of the research have remained classified, making a thorough independent evaluation of the system impossible. The beam’s design makes it able to only affect an individual for a short moment. This is achieved by safety presets and features which control the effects of ADS. However, it is possible for these settings to be overridden by the operator. A public release once stated that there have been over 10,700 “shots” by ADS. The Active Denial System is presently restricted to being used while mounted on a vehicle. The United States Marines and police are both working on portable versions for usage.
A fully operational and mounted system was shown on January 24, 2007, at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia and United States. A Reuter’s 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.”
The full effects of this radio frequency on humans have been studied by the military for several years, and some of the research has been published in peer-reviewed journals.
The main intentions for the development of this system are not fully known and have been an area of controversy.
