There have been stories and rumors since before the war, but the Army has finally unveiled its "heat ray gun."
Just in time for Operation Surge or this weekend's protest? No, they are three years from introduction. Curiously, I think every report I have ever read says these things are three years from introduction. But they have photos this time, so it seems a bit more real.
US military unveils heat-ray gun
The US military has given the first public display of what it says is a revolutionary heat-ray weapon to repel enemies or disperse hostile crowds.
The gun - called Silent Guardian - projects an invisible high energy beam that produces a sudden burning feeling, but is actually harmless.
Actually harmless! Now you can enjoy the feeling of being on fire, without the third-degree burns. Probably.
The obligatory product sheet.
The obligatory product video.
It isn't that I think these things will actually kill or reprogram your brain, but this is still an ominous development. This is a radically more powerful weapon than tear gas. With tear gas, the effect is pretty local and temporary. But these things? Who knows how they will be used? Imagine them mounted not on top of riot control vehicles, but permanently mounted on top of downtown buildings, ready to clear city streets for any length of time or to impose instant curfews. Imagine more targeted systems as ubiquitous as security cameras-- ready to keep the "wrong element" out of town.
But if you're not doing anything wrong, you have nothing to worry about, right?