Active Denial Technology Fact Sheet

Active Denial Technology uses radio frequency millimeter waves at a frequency of 95 gigahertz. Traveling at the speed of light, the millimeter wave directed energy engages the subject, penetrating the skin to a depth of only about 1/64th of an inch, or the equivalent of three sheets of paper. The beam produces an intolerable heating sensation, compelling the targeted individual to instinctively move. The sensation immediately ceases when the individual moves out of the beam or when the operator turns off the beam. There is minimal risk of injury due to the shallow energy penetration into the skin at this short wavelength and normal human instinctive reactions.

Active Denial Technology can be used for both force application and force protection missions. Applications include crowd control, patrol and convoy protection, perimeter security and other defensive and offensive operations from both fixed-site or mobile platforms.
 
Non-lethal directed energy weapons using Active Denial Technology have the potential to provide a non-lethal effects at distances up to and beyond small arms range, providing U.S. military forces with additional time and space to assess the intent of potential adversaries.

From 2002 to 2007, the Active Denial System Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration integrated and packaged a large-scale version of Active Denial Technology into two system configurations. System 1, the technology prototype, integrated the technology into a High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle. System 1 was successfully used in a series of land and maritime-based military utility assessments. System 2, a containerized version transportable via a tactical truck, successfully completed a capabilities and limitations assessment.
 
Both prototypes are long range, large spot sizes systems and are available for Service or Combatant Command exercises. System 2 is also suitable for operational employment.

Human effects testing on the large-scale version of Active Denial Technology included more than 11,000 exposures on over 700 volunteers. Both laboratory research and full-scale test results demonstrated that there is only a 1/10th of 1% chance of injury from a System 1 or System 2 exposure. Research on the safety and effectiveness of 95 gigahertz millimeter wave directed energy has been peer reviewed in numerous professional journals and independently reviewed by the Human Effects Advisory Panel. A copy of the Panel's report is available at:
http://jnlwp.defense.gov/pdf/heap.pdf

Due to the novel nature of the Active Denial Technology non-lethal effect, the Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Program has had a proactive strategy in raising the awareness on the benefits, safety and effectiveness of this new technology. Several major broadcast and print media reporters have attended technology demonstrations, allowing for first-hand accounts on experiencing the effect of System 1 or 2. Active Denial Technology has been featured on CBS 60 Minutes, the Discovery Channel's Future Weapons Program and the History Channel's Modern Marvels Program.

While the Active Denial System Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration succeeded in demonstrating a large-scale version of Active Denial Technology, a smaller-scale, more mobile version is also of military interest. The Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Program is leading an effort to develop the next generation of Active Denial Technology. Several efforts are underway to identify new millimeter-wave sources that will allow for reduced size, weight and system cost with instant "turn-on" and "shoot-on-the-move" capabilities.