The Pentagon’s Active Denial System, a non-lethal weapon that emits an energy beam causing a sensation of intense heat on the skin, has been authorized for testing at the US-Mexico border. Pete Hegseth, the US Secretary of Defense, reportedly signed a memo last month allowing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to utilize this technology for potential operations.
What is the Active Denial System?
The Active Denial System is a military-grade weapon that produces an energy beam, which creates an intolerable sensation on the skin, prompting reflexive movements such as ducking or running. According to a 2009 National Defense University case study, this sensation can be described as a blast of heat similar to that experienced when opening a hot oven.
Details of the Authorization
In the memo, first obtained by CNN, Hegseth authorized a temporary loan of the Active Denial System to the DHS for a period of seven months starting in September. The DHS has the option to request further use of the system if necessary. A spokesperson for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) stated that the agency is continually evaluating new technologies that can enhance national security while saving lives.
