The Active Denial System.pdf

The Active Denial System

A Revolutionary, Non-lethal

Weapon for Today’s Battlefield

Susan LeVine

Center for Technology and National Security Policy

National Defense University

June 2009

The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not reflect the official

policy or position of the National Defense University, the Department of Defense or the

U.S. Government. All information and sources for this paper were drawn from

unclassified materials.

Susan Levine is the Principal Deputy Director for Policy and Strategy in the Joint Non-

Lethal Weapons Directorate (JNLWD). She helped establish the Defense Department’s

Non-Lethal Weapons Program in the late 1990’s and is a founding member of the

JNLWD. Her responsibilities include overall management, planning and technical

support to the Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Program, including interfacing with the Office

of the Secretary of Defense on non-lethal weapons policy and strategic planning issues.

Ms. LeVine is also responsible for principal oversight of the Active Denial System. She

has served as a government advisor to the Council on Foreign Relations and the Defense

Science Board. Ms LeVine earned Bachelor and Masters degrees in Physics from the

University of South Carolina and is a recipient of the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service

Award.

Defense & Technology Papers are published by the National Defense University Center

for Technology and National Security Policy, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, DC.

CTNSP publications are available at http://www.ndu.edu/ctnsp/publications.html.

Contents

Introduction......................................................................................................................... 1

The Complex Battlefield..................................................................................................... 2

Technology Concept ........................................................................................................... 2

Initial System Configurations ............................................................................................. 3

Human Effects Research..................................................................................................... 5

Independent Human Effects Research Review................................................................... 8

Field Demonstrations .......................................................................................................... 8

Legal and Treaty Compliance Reviews ............................................................................ 10

Education and Awareness ................................................................................................. 10

Policy Implications ........................................................................................................... 11

Future Plans ...................................................................................................................... 11

Summary ........................................................................................................................... 12

iii

Figure 1. The Active Denial System directed energy beam can engage

targets at extended ranges, giving a clear warning to potential aggressors

while increasing the force protection of U.S. troops. (Image courtesy of

Raytheon Company)

Introduction

Since the end of the Cold War, U.S. Armed Forces have participated in many operations

that combine military operations against combatants in situations where the civilian

population is at risk. Such complex operations, as they are now called, necessarily place

troops in close contact with local civilians—and sometimes in confrontations that lead to

violence. Use of force against civilians can create local tensions that undermine efforts to

rebuild a society and, thanks to the globalization of communications, widespread

condemnation that can jeopardize the entire mission.

Non-lethal weapons provide an additional set of tools for our troops engaged in complex

operations. Research efforts to advance the types and efficacy of non-lethal weapons

available to our warfighters is producing novel capabilities. One such capability is the

Active Denial System (ADS). ADS can provide our troops a capability they currently do

not have, the ability to reach out and engage potential adversaries at distances well

beyond small arms range, and in a safe, effective, and non-lethal manner. The ADS can

immediately compel an individual to cease threatening behavior or depart through

application of a directed energy beam that provides a sensation of intense heat on the

surface of the skin. The effect is overwhelming, causing an immediate repel response by

the targeted individual. The vignettes below illustrate two of many possible applications.

A soldier is manning a checkpoint, guarding an important facility. She notices a group of

people approaching her position. The group appears agitated and threatening. Or is it?

The soldier tries to decide as the group nears. There are women and children in the group,

as well as several men yelling something in a language the soldier does not understand.

Through a loudspeaker the soldier warns the group that they are approaching a restricted

area. She tells them to halt. They keep coming. Are they ignoring the warning? Or did

they not understand it? They are almost on her. She may have to use lethal force.

But the soldier has another option. She calls for support from the operators of the

compound’s ADS, who have been observing the situation through the system’s onboard

optics. In particular, they have been watching a man who appears to be leading the group.

Upon the order of the on-scene commander, the ADS operators target the man and

activate the beam (see figure 1 on facing page). The man turns and runs a few steps. The

group stops, puzzled by his behavior. The man regains his composure and returns to the

group, urging it on to the compound. The ADS operators reengage the man, who turns

and runs off. The group quickly follows him.

A United States Navy ship is underway in international waters. The lookout on deck has

been monitoring the movement of a small “go-fast” boat that has been trailing his ship .

The boat’s behavior is becoming increasingly suspect, approaching the ship, veering off,

returning a few minutes later, coming ever closer. Does the boat hold a group of terrorists

attempting a suicide attack, or just a family trying to get a closer look at a Navy ship?

The officer-of-the-deck alerts the commanding officer, who decides to issue a clear

warning to the occupants of the boat. As the boat approaches the ship again, operators of

the shipboard ADS target the boat driver. Upon feeling the intense heat, the boat driver

immediately stops piloting the boat, ducks for cover, and does not resume following the

ship.

Plik z chomika:

Inne pliki z tego folderu:

Inne foldery tego chomika: