8 Laser Weapon Systems to Zap Planes, Boats—And People

Nearly 30 years after Ronald Reagan announced "Star Wars," the U.S. military continues to pursue its dream of building the ultimate ray gun. Parts of the dream have finally come true. Over the past few years, laser weapons have shot drones, mortars, and ballistic missiles out of the sky; ignited the hoods of trucks; and engulfed an unmanned boat in flames. By Olivia Koski

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Active Denial

Energy Type: High-power microwaves
Targets: Human
Confirmed Kills: N/A, nonlethal
Power: Nonlethal
Range: Miles
Platform: Truck
Service: Air Force
Manufacturer: Raytheon

Raytheon delivered its first ray gun crowd-control device, designed to zap angry mobs with microwaves, in 2000. Since then it's been tested over 11,000 times on human targets. It penetrates 1/64 of an inch below the surface of the skin, creating a temporary burning sensation.

Although the military has deemed the active denial system to be safe, it has yet to be deployed in the field. The public is understandably a little timid about the government using the "Pain Ray" on people, but Mike Booen, VP of Raytheon DE Systems, says such a system could save lives. "Right now, you either shout at crowds, or you shoot at them," he says. Raytheon developed a lower power version of the system, called Silent Guardian, which it sent to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department last year for possible use on unruly inmates.

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Source: http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/military/research/8-laser-weapon-systems-to-zap-planes-boats-and-people?src=rss

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