Defence Secretary approves heat ray testing at US-Mexico border

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 17:08 · Archive

Pete Hegseth has authorised testing of a military heat ray weapon at the US-Mexico border, a measure other officials previously rejected.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has authorised the Department of Homeland Security to test a military-grade heat ray weapon, known as the Active Denial System, for potential use at the US-Mexico border. The Pentagon approved a seven-month loan of the system starting in September, according to a memo obtained by CNN. Other US officials have previously rejected using the weapon in this way.

The Active Denial System shoots an invisible energy beam roughly half a mile and causes an intense burning sensation on human skin. According to a military memo, the effect creates a tingling sensation lasting between 10 and 15 minutes and produces an 'instinctive and irresistible urge to run from the effect'. A 2009 National Defense University study described it as creating 'an intolerable sensation and reflexive movement' such as ducking or running.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials have previously considered using the system for crowd dispersal in areas with high numbers of illegal crossings, but it has never been deployed. The US military brought the system to Afghanistan nearly 20 years ago but returned it without using it. A CBP spokesperson said the department was 'continually evaluating new technology, especially technology that can save lives while simultaneously enhancing national security effectiveness'.

How it is being reported

• Pete Hegseth has reportedly given DHS permission to test ‘heat ray’ for use at US-Mexico borderThe Pentagon’s Active Denial System shoots energy beam that causes ‘sensation of intense heat on surface of skin’ Pete Hegseth , the US secretary of defense, reportedly signed a memo last month permitting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to test a non-lethal “heat ray” for potential use at the US southern border. The “heat ray”, known as the Active Denial System , is a military-grade weapon that shoots an energy beam causing “a sensation of intense heat on the surface of the skin”, according to a 2009 National Defense University case study on the weapon. Continue reading...The Guardian · 22 Oct, 16:40
• Pete Hegseth signs off testing for new military weapon other American officials passed onHeat rays cause a tingling sensation on skin that creates an ‘instinctive and irresistible urge to run from the effect,’ the military said in a memoIndependent World · 21 Oct, 21:22

In this story: Pete Hegseth · Department of Homeland Security · US-Mexico border · Pentagon · Department of Defense

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