Militaries Less Lethal Weapons

It is hard to be understood in a practical sense when your entire mission in life is to hurt people. At least that is the situation behind our Military’s Pain Ray, also known as an Active Denial System (ADS) . The ADS works by directing electromagnetic radiation, such as high frequency microwaves, towards a subject. This frequency causes the water molecules underneath the skin to heat to approximately 130 degrees Fahrenheit with a two second burst, cause a burning sensation. Any hirer and the injuries could be hazardous.

In May 2005, an initiative called Project Sheriff was suppose to deploy the ADS into Iraq, but it was postponed due to uncertainties about the technology. If the ADS was a lethal weapon, it would have been introduced into military field operations years ago. But ADS is a less than lethal weapon (LLW). The concept of LLW, especial when integrated with the military, raises many questions of uncertainty about ethical standards. Questions geared towards ADS is, does this radiation cause cancer, what if the ADS was held on a subject to long, and can it be used to kill? All very practical ethical questions concerning a weapon of this nature. Personally, I would propose using a weapon that can cause minor burns and injuries over the use of live ammunition.

There are known dangers of the ADS. First, there is human error. Anyone using the weapon incorrectly may cause serious injuries or death. Secondly, tests have shown that the reflection of the ADS beam can cause hot spots more than twice as strong as the main beam. And lastly, the risk of the weapon falling into the wrong hands could be fatal.

On the other hand, a weapon of this nature could be used as a beneficiary to our military personnel. It could save the lives of the men and women who put their lives at risk every day in the battle fields.

ADS Demonstration



Vehicle-Mounted Active Denial System (V-MADS)
US military in denial over 'pain ray'
Weapon System Technology

Side Effects

While less lethal weapons (LLW) are safer than conventional weapons, they still posses side effects. These effects could be as minor as pin pricks or as fatal as a traditional weapon. Less lethal weapons can cause contusions, abrasions, broken ribs, loss of eyes, organ damage, ruptured heart, liver, and kidneys, and even death. In 2000, according to Consumer Product Safety Commission, 21,840 injuries were reported from the use of LLW. Of those injuries, 12% were ocular, 24 involved head and neck, 63% involved limbs, and 1% involved other areas. Tragic deaths have occurred from LLW, such as in the case of Victoria Snelgrove, who in 2006 was killed by a pepper spray pellet that was fired into a crowd of people near Fenway Park by a Boston Police Officer.

Law enforcement is constantly looking for new innovation to improve its line of duty. Whether it is putting more officers on the street, zero tolerance policies or new police programs (C.O.P & P.O.P). We must understand that new innovations always come with a few bugs. In the case of less lethal weapons, injuries are its bug, and it posses an inevitable side effect of the danger.

We must remember that no weapon is a safe weapon. And even though the title is less than lethal, essentially it means, “intended not to kill.”


Victoria Snelgrove Story




Victoria Snelgrove
Medical Aspects of Less-Lethal Munitions

Women Officers

Over the years, women and police work have become more common; from volunteer prison matrons, to tramp camp quasi police, and currently full fledged police officers. Women’s contribution as officers once viewed as too touchy feely to perform police work (some still view as so) has moved policing into a new era; community oriented police (COP). Women police officers posses ability to relinquish a situation with using for force. Some officers view their capability as being less effective, for their tactics will not restrain an aggressive individual.
Technology, in the form of less lethal weapons, have made it easier for women to incorporate themselves into a male dominated career. The ability to subdue an aggressor with bare arms is no longer a requirement. Women possess ideal qualities of our new generational COP officers. They posses the knowledge, ability, and through less lethal weapons, the ability to obtain cooperation.