Wonder Weapons
The Pentagon's quest for nonlethal arms is amazing. But is it smart?
Acoustic fencing An array of acoustic devices can keep people away. The closer they get, the worse they feel. Acoustic effects on the body Sonic frequencies can cause tiny hair cells in the inner ear to vibrate, creating sensations like motion sickness, vertigo, and nausea. They can also resonate internal organs resulting in pain, spasms, or even death.
VORTEX WEAPONS! These arms can knock down people or even aircraft The vortex gun expels a doughnut-shaped shock wave that could knock people down. The gun could also be filled with gases or chemical agents. A vortex ring of pepper spray, for instance, would stun its victims with both a physical blow and a chemical irritant. Status: Prototypes exist. They may be hand held or vehicle mounted Explosive charge creates vortex in shock tube The vortex ring would travel at hundreds of miles per hour The vortex ring must spin at Mach 1 or faster to create shock wave Shock wave hits body SMACK!(r)MDSU¯(r)MDNM¯ They may also contain chemical agents such as pepper spray
Vortex technology The vortex gun fires a doughnut-shaped wave with a powerful center. Lab tests show vortexes can break wooden boards across a room. When they strike a person, the effect is like being hit with a heavy blanket.
MICROWAVE WEAPONS! A "tunable" weapon that can discomfort or cook the enemy
As antipersonnel weapons, microwaves could be used as "barriers," causing pain or burns to those who enter their path. Phaserlike microwave "stun guns" have also been contemplated, but major technical hurdles still need to be overcome before their successful development. Status: Research is classified. Prototypes reportedly exist and are ready for testing. [labels] Vehicle-mounted microwave gun Microwave "barrier" BZZZZZZT!!! Disturbs brainwaves Affects heart rate Causes heat, burns, fevers Seizures or stun effects Impairs motor function
Microwave effects on the body Microwaves have a wide range of biological consequences. A heating effect is produced by excitation of water molecules. Army experiments with animals in non-weapons programs show that microwave exposure can lead to memory impairment, cardiac arrest, a "stun" effect, and evoked body movements(r)MDSU¯(r)MDNM¯.
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