WTF | May 29, 2008 | 7 comments

'Silent Gaurdian,' Raytheon's pain compliance weapon, coming to a protest near you

source: http://www.thought-criminal.org/article/node/1658

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Yes, folks, originally designed to protect military personnel against small-arms fire without the use of lethal force, Silent Guardian, ADS, the Pain Ray, call it what you will, (Raytheon would prefer you not to use the latter however), will finally soon be here!

Transmitted at the speed of light over a 700 yard distance, the Pain Ray is a millimeter-wave beam that penetrates 1/64th of an inch beneath the skin, causing the water molecules there to bubble, producing an intense burning sensation, said to feel like being burnt by molten lava or a hot iron. Its delivery system attached to a Humvee and aimed right, the Pain Ray makes people run away -- fast.

Deployment of the system is slated to begin in Iraq in 2010, but there are rumors that it has already been tested there.

Raytheon congratulates itself on having developed a non-lethal weapon which has been described as "Holy Grail of crowd control," but their Silent Guardian also has its critics. One, author Richard Hunter asks:

"But what happens if the people faced with such a weapon can't just run away? What happens if they're trapped in a crowd, and the crowd can't move? How much pain must that crowd endure? How long can any member of the crowd be exposed to that weapon before his or her skin -- or their eyes -- simply cook off? What happens if the devices are used deliberately in a manner designed to cause maximum harm -- say, by training the device on prisoners trapped in prison cells until they literally go mad with pain?

What happens if the system operator turns up the power? A little bit works well, why not try a lot? What happens if the scientists didn't test the devices thoroughly, and they turn out to render anyone touched by them blind, or impotent, or sterile?" And the National Lawyers Guild of the US has accused Raytheon of being "implicated in the commission of war crime."
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7 comments // 'Silent Gaurdian,' Raytheon's pain compliance weapon, coming to a protest near you

  • Theodauren
    • 0
      Theodauren  

    • These types of NLW (non-lethal weapons) are cause for serious concern and appropriate debate. Usage of NLW is subject to the indvidual(s) training of and response to the situation at hand who are operating these devices. "The American Heritage Dictionary" defines torture as 1: Infliction of severe pain asa a means of punishment or coercion, 2: Pain or mental anguish. "Webster's Dictionary" defines torture as 1a: anguish of body or mind, b: Agony- something causing agony or pain, 2: the infliction of intense pain to punish, coerce, or afford sadistic pleasure. With these defintions in mind, the usage of these types of NLW mandate serious scientific, legal, moral and philisophical inquiry. The human operators of this technology (and their commanding officials) are unfortunately subject to human emotions leading to an enormous variety of responses to the situation. Where does one, or many, draw a line or threshold defining the usage of these NLW? Who are these NLW used on and what situations warrant their use? And where and when does it constitute torture?

    • 3 years ago
  • 1percent
  • tomboessel
  • tomboessel
    • 0
      tomboessel  

    • I read an article recently that it killed a 500 pound cow within 10 seconds. I am trying to find the article now. If anyone else has seen the article please post.

    • 3 years ago
  • Elligirl
    • 0
      Elligirl  

    • They showed that one on the Discovery channel "Future Weapons" last year. Quite impressive! The host tried to stand in front of the ray as long as he could. He said it eventually became too uncomfortable and he had to move. It did no damage, though. Looks like it might be a good method for crowd control, for sure!

      I want to know if you get little cancers a year later in the spot where the ray hit you, though.

    • 3 years ago
  • etosha_pent
    • 0
      etosha_pent  

    • Another question that was not asked, what happens if these devices are used on the general public? Is Raytheon using Iraqis as test subjects for there pain project? Will bush amend the torture laws to include this new system as I am sure a buring sensation is not going to be classified as "torture." (sarcasm)

    • 3 years ago
  • etosha_pent
    • 0
      etosha_pent  

    • Another question that was not asked, what happens if these devices are used on the general public? Is Raytheon using Iraqis as test subjects for there pain project? Will bush amend the torture laws to include this new system as I am sure a buring sensation is not going to be classified as "torture." (sarcasm)

    • 3 years ago
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