World · World News Bureau
US military approves testing of heat-ray device at southern border
The Pentagon has authorized the Department of Homeland Security to conduct field tests of a directed-energy weapon designed to disperse crowds. The non-lethal device, which emits concentrated heat, could potentially be deployed at the US-Mexico border.
LSN World News ·
US military officials have granted permission for the Department of Homeland Security to evaluate a heat-ray weapon system for potential deployment along the southern border. The approval marks a significant step toward incorporating directed-energy technology into border security operations.
The device operates by emitting focused thermal energy to create an uncomfortable sensation on human skin at a distance, compelling individuals to move away from designated areas. Proponents argue the technology offers a non-lethal alternative to traditional crowd control methods, though the exact specifications and capabilities of the system remain subject to classification.
The authorized testing phase will assess the weapon's effectiveness, operational feasibility, and safety parameters in real-world border conditions. Officials have indicated that results from the field tests will inform decisions about broader implementation across the frontier.
The deployment of such advanced technology at the border reflects ongoing efforts by federal agencies to modernize security infrastructure. However, the initiative has drawn scrutiny from civil liberties advocates, who have raised concerns about potential misuse and effects on civilian populations near border zones.
Photo: The US Air Force Research Laboratory's Active Denial System, a non-lethal directed-energy crowd-dispersal system, mounted on a military truck, 2007. U.S. Air Force via Wikimedia Commons (public domain).