Comments on: US defense contractor building "secret microwave gun" http://boingboing.net/2011/04/15/us-defense-contracto.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Mon, 20 May 2013 18:51:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Victor Drath http://boingboing.net/2011/04/15/us-defense-contracto.html#comment-1084433 Victor Drath Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1084433 Sounds like a Weapon of Mass Destruction!! Quick, call the US, we must stop this!!! Oh wait... Sounds like a Weapon of Mass Destruction!! Quick, call the US, we must stop this!!!

Oh wait…

]]> By: awjtawjt http://boingboing.net/2011/04/15/us-defense-contracto.html#comment-1084186 awjtawjt Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1084186 Nothing that an entire roll of tin foil can't foil. Nothing that an entire roll of tin foil can’t foil.

]]> By: ManOutOfTime http://boingboing.net/2011/04/15/us-defense-contracto.html#comment-1083931 ManOutOfTime Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1083931 You vixen! Taunting me with visions of remotely cooked frozen burritos an hour before lunch! You vixen! Taunting me with visions of remotely cooked frozen burritos an hour before lunch!

]]> By: Nedril http://boingboing.net/2011/04/15/us-defense-contracto.html#comment-1084701 Nedril Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1084701 Question is will this work on people that are already baked... If not ganja would be a quite effective countermeasure. Question is will this work on people that are already baked… If not ganja would be a quite effective countermeasure.

]]> By: mccrum http://boingboing.net/2011/04/15/us-defense-contracto.html#comment-1083940 mccrum Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1083940 What could possibly go wrong? USA! USA! USA! What could possibly go wrong? USA! USA! USA!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/15/us-defense-contracto.html#comment-1085220 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1085220 If we'd spend billions on directly ending poverty via nonviolent means, we wouldn't need new weapons. Because people that have their needs taken care of tend not to want to kill other people. ("Needs" include a good education beyond just what's in biblical documents, even things that might not agree with said documents, of course.) If we’d spend billions on directly ending poverty via nonviolent means, we wouldn’t need new weapons. Because people that have their needs taken care of tend not to want to kill other people. (“Needs” include a good education beyond just what’s in biblical documents, even things that might not agree with said documents, of course.)

]]> By: Eark_the_Bunny http://boingboing.net/2011/04/15/us-defense-contracto.html#comment-1083943 Eark_the_Bunny Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1083943 Bets that someone winds up using this for domestic crowd "control". "DON'T MICROWAVE ME BRO!" Bets that someone winds up using this for domestic crowd “control”. “DON’T MICROWAVE ME BRO!”

]]> By: Bionicrat2 http://boingboing.net/2011/04/15/us-defense-contracto.html#comment-1083952 Bionicrat2 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1083952 Imagine being able to make the enemy's bowl of spaghetti or bean soup explode not just in a microwave oven, but anywhere! The mess could be catastrophic! Bwah-ah-ah-ah-ah! Imagine being able to make the enemy’s bowl of spaghetti or bean soup explode not just in a microwave oven, but anywhere! The mess could be catastrophic! Bwah-ah-ah-ah-ah!

]]> By: EH http://boingboing.net/2011/04/15/us-defense-contracto.html#comment-1083953 EH Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1083953 One thing I've learned as I've gotten older is that there's *always* a military contractor who will say they are working on $sci-fi-object. Not only that, but the military will also give them lots of money in the hopes they'll be successful. It's a self-perpetuating fantasy tax sponge. One thing I’ve learned as I’ve gotten older is that there’s *always* a military contractor who will say they are working on $sci-fi-object. Not only that, but the military will also give them lots of money in the hopes they’ll be successful. It’s a self-perpetuating fantasy tax sponge.

]]> By: Rich Keller http://boingboing.net/2011/04/15/us-defense-contracto.html#comment-1083968 Rich Keller Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1083968 Don't get too excited. It's a gun that flings microwave ovens. @EH - "self-perpetuating fantasy tax sponge" - best band name ever of the week. Don’t get too excited. It’s a gun that flings microwave ovens.

@EH – “self-perpetuating fantasy tax sponge” – best band name ever of the week.

]]> By: Fang Xianfu http://boingboing.net/2011/04/15/us-defense-contracto.html#comment-1083970 Fang Xianfu Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1083970 Already exists: https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Active_Denial_System Already exists: https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Active_Denial_System

]]> By: ph3ral http://boingboing.net/2011/04/15/us-defense-contracto.html#comment-1083972 ph3ral Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1083972 BAE Systems is British, not US, although obviously have a global presence. I'd imagine the US government is a major sugar-daddy. Company Details BAE Systems plc A company registered in England and Wales Company Number: 1470151 BAE Systems is British, not US, although obviously have a global presence. I’d imagine the US government is a major sugar-daddy.

Company Details
BAE Systems plc
A company registered in England and Wales
Company Number: 1470151

]]> By: anansi133 http://boingboing.net/2011/04/15/us-defense-contracto.html#comment-1083977 anansi133 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1083977 Sounds awesome! How does it fare against steam engines? "asymmetrical warfare" indeed! Sounds awesome! How does it fare against steam engines?

“asymmetrical warfare” indeed!

]]> By: mr_josh http://boingboing.net/2011/04/15/us-defense-contracto.html#comment-1083980 mr_josh Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1083980 Well now that we've developed technology to solve problems like cure cancer, stop climate change, and end world hunger, why not spend a few billion to MAKE PEOPLE UNCOMFORTABLY WARM? Well now that we’ve developed technology to solve problems like cure cancer, stop climate change, and end world hunger, why not spend a few billion to MAKE PEOPLE UNCOMFORTABLY WARM?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/15/us-defense-contracto.html#comment-1084236 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1084236 Used to disperse peaceful assembly. This will be at your next protest. Best to make sure your eyes are shielded as closing your lids won't help. Tanning goggles banned like gas masks? Used to disperse peaceful assembly. This will be at your next protest. Best to make sure your eyes are shielded as closing your lids won’t help. Tanning goggles banned like gas masks?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/15/us-defense-contracto.html#comment-1083983 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1083983 Noooooo! If you get rid of the frozen burritos what will the dolphins eat? :( They really love the pork ones too. Noooooo! If you get rid of the frozen burritos what will the dolphins eat? :( They really love the pork ones too.

]]> By: Vogie http://boingboing.net/2011/04/15/us-defense-contracto.html#comment-1084497 Vogie Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1084497 Wow. This is sad. "Hey guys, I just saw Batman Begins... and have a GREAT IDEA for a weapon!" Wow. This is sad.

“Hey guys, I just saw Batman Begins… and have a GREAT IDEA for a weapon!”

]]> By: Lobster http://boingboing.net/2011/04/15/us-defense-contracto.html#comment-1083988 Lobster Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1083988 It's actually a low-budget catapult that can be constructed in the field. It gains its name from its design specifications: it must be able to throw projectiles that weigh an excess of 20 pounds and are 2x2x2 feet in size: about the size of a microwave. It’s actually a low-budget catapult that can be constructed in the field. It gains its name from its design specifications: it must be able to throw projectiles that weigh an excess of 20 pounds and are 2x2x2 feet in size: about the size of a microwave.

]]> By: LegendofPedro http://boingboing.net/2011/04/15/us-defense-contracto.html#comment-1083998 LegendofPedro Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1083998 Fang Xianfu, it double already exists: http://hackaday.com/2011/03/21/herf-gun-zaps-more-than-your-dinner/ ph3ral, BAE Systems Inc. is the American subsidiary of BAE Systems (which used to be BAe - British Aerospace before they merged with GE). Fang Xianfu, it double already exists: http://hackaday.com/2011/03/21/herf-gun-zaps-more-than-your-dinner/

ph3ral, BAE Systems Inc. is the American subsidiary of BAE Systems (which used to be BAe – British Aerospace before they merged with GE).

]]> By: betatron http://boingboing.net/2011/04/15/us-defense-contracto.html#comment-1084048 betatron Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1084048 Current radar isn't that far off the mark. The AN/SPY1 Aegis system radars probably come close. Beam power isn't that hard to generate, SPY-1 has a published power of 6 megawatts; i've got seven 12-MW klystrons just down the hall. The klystron power sources aren't all "that" big. Smaller than a UPS van. As these things go, it should be relatively easy, although the dominant effect might be to quick-cook people rather than electronics. Current radar isn’t that far off the mark. The AN/SPY1 Aegis system radars probably come close. Beam power isn’t that hard to generate, SPY-1 has a published power of 6 megawatts; i’ve got seven 12-MW klystrons just down the hall. The klystron power sources aren’t all “that” big. Smaller than a UPS van. As these things go, it should be relatively easy, although the dominant effect might be to quick-cook people rather than electronics.

]]> By: travtastic http://boingboing.net/2011/04/15/us-defense-contracto.html#comment-1084069 travtastic Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1084069 I wish they would just be honest for once and call it the Peaceful Protester Abuse System. I wish they would just be honest for once and call it the Peaceful Protester Abuse System.

]]> By: betatron http://boingboing.net/2011/04/15/us-defense-contracto.html#comment-1084073 betatron Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1084073 you are missing the important distinction. An anti-person weapon like ADS _has_ to not permanently/fatally injure people. That's hard. Geneva convention and all that stuff, but an anti-material weapon like this (or a bomb...) can kill people as a side effect. "Ooops, we're so sorry about the exploded head, sir". What they're describing could fry a person (much) like bacon in less time than it takes you to skim this post. It's all about the beam power, wavelength and just what electron bonds it's tuned to. your microwave is about ~~10,000 to 30,000 times less powerful than a notional shipboard system. Microwave power is relatively cheap these days. Sounds like a death ray to me. you are missing the important distinction. An anti-person weapon like ADS _has_ to not permanently/fatally injure people. That’s hard. Geneva convention and all that stuff, but an anti-material weapon like this (or a bomb…) can kill people as a side effect.

“Ooops, we’re so sorry about the exploded head, sir”.

What they’re describing could fry a person (much) like bacon in less time than it takes you to skim this post. It’s all about the beam power, wavelength and just what electron bonds it’s tuned to. your microwave is about ~~10,000 to 30,000 times less powerful than a notional shipboard system. Microwave power is relatively cheap these days.

Sounds like a death ray to me.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/15/us-defense-contracto.html#comment-1084075 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1084075 Actually the mechanism is to get microwave band radiation in a tight focused beam. Depth of just a few milimeters is enough to hit the nerves, which then makes you feel like you are on fire. Most reasonable people will try to escape being set on fire, thus it works for crowd control Actually the mechanism is to get microwave band radiation in a tight focused beam. Depth of just a few milimeters is enough to hit the nerves, which then makes you feel like you are on fire. Most reasonable people will try to escape being set on fire, thus it works for crowd control

]]> By: Fang Xianfu http://boingboing.net/2011/04/15/us-defense-contracto.html#comment-1084340 Fang Xianfu Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1084340 That is very interesting in the context of the ADS I linked in #7. If it's as easy for that system to blind people as your comment implies, I hope it never makes it to wide-scale use. That is very interesting in the context of the ADS I linked in #7. If it’s as easy for that system to blind people as your comment implies, I hope it never makes it to wide-scale use.

]]> By: Bahumat http://boingboing.net/2011/04/15/us-defense-contracto.html#comment-1084141 Bahumat Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1084141 What's more relevant, here, betatron, is that it takes far, far less energy for microwaves to cook your retinas. Sadly, while you can't see microwaves, your retina still absorbs them; and without seeing them, you don't have a blink reflex to protect your vision. To be honest I'm genuinely surprised that there hasn't been a terrorist attack focused on blinding a large group of people with microwave emissions. I hope I never see it (no pun intended) in my lifetime. What’s more relevant, here, betatron, is that it takes far, far less energy for microwaves to cook your retinas. Sadly, while you can’t see microwaves, your retina still absorbs them; and without seeing them, you don’t have a blink reflex to protect your vision.

To be honest I’m genuinely surprised that there hasn’t been a terrorist attack focused on blinding a large group of people with microwave emissions. I hope I never see it (no pun intended) in my lifetime.

]]> By: AirPillo http://boingboing.net/2011/04/15/us-defense-contracto.html#comment-1084158 AirPillo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1084158 Low-power microwave weapons were even being planned for use (as fixed turret-like emplacements) in some California jails. There was some uproar about that. As someone with a friend who was nearly killed in an LA jail while awaiting trial, I'll just say that a way to break up fights faster with tele-presence is on the whole a good thing. Low amplitude microwaves don't kill people, having your face kicked in does. Low-power microwave weapons were even being planned for use (as fixed turret-like emplacements) in some California jails. There was some uproar about that.

As someone with a friend who was nearly killed in an LA jail while awaiting trial, I’ll just say that a way to break up fights faster with tele-presence is on the whole a good thing. Low amplitude microwaves don’t kill people, having your face kicked in does.

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