Active Denial System.
non-lethal, directed-energy weapon developed by the U.S. military
Pentagon Authorizes DHS Heat-Ray Border Tests
The Pentagon authorized DHS to borrow and test a military-grade Active Denial System for seven months, developing tactics for possible use along the southern border; the weapon causes a brief, intense burning sensation intended to drive people away. The unprecedented proposal has raised concerns about legal authority, effectiveness and potential injuries, including the risk of pushing migrants into dangerous situations, while DHS would be responsible for operating the system.
World · 11 sources · Oct 21, 2026Read itThe journal
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About Active Denial System
The Active Denial System (ADS) is a directed-energy weapon developed by the U.S. military, designed for area denial, perimeter security and crowd control. Informally, the weapon is also called the heat ray since it works by heating the surface of targets, such as the skin of targeted human beings. Raytheon had marketed a reduced-range version of this technology. ADS was developed under the sponsorship of the Department of Defense Non-Lethal Weapons Program with the Air Force Research Laboratory as the lead agency. The ADS was deployed in 2010 with the United States military in the Afghanistan War, but was withdrawn without seeing combat. On August 20, 2010, the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department announced its intent to use this technology within the United States to control incarcerated people in the Pitchess Detention Center in Los Angeles, stating its intent to use it in "operational evaluation" in situations such as breaking up prisoner fights. They installed the smaller-sized unit in 2014. The U.S. Marines and police were both working on portable versions. In 2014, there were reports that Russia and China were developing their own versions of the Active Denial System.
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