UNH is hub of Pentagon's 'non-lethal' weapons research program
Derek Price
Issue date: 4/25/08 Section: News
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The device is in fact a prototype for a light-emitting ray gun designed to seek out people's retinas and temporarily blind them - a tool for authorities to control unruly suspects or crowds. The invention, called the Smart Dazzler, is one of many at the Non-Lethal Technology Innovations Center at UNH, one of two hubs of the U.S. military's program of research at university campuses across the country on ways to control people without killing or seriously injuring them.
While not exactly secret, the center, overseen by Shwaery for the Department of Defense, does not go out of its way to advertise its work. Research is conducted at universities across the country including the other hub, Penn State, as well as the University of Central Florida, the University of Florida, the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Seton Hall University, Old Dominion University, and others.
The non-lethal weapons program at UNH and the other universities is funded in part by a $60 million annual Department of Defense budget, according to John Keenan, a director of Science and Technology at the Pentagon's Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Directorate.
Many inventions, both under development and still on the drawing board, seem to come straight from the pages of comic books. They range from heat rays that make your skin feel like it is on fire to guns that blast deafening sounds, substances that make people fall down or hold still, and holograms that project terrifying images on a battlefield.
"We are where the initial brainstorming begins," Shwaery said. "So everything but the most bizarre ideas are up for consideration."
"Ideally, we would want a phaser that could freeze our enemies like Captain Kirk used to do on Star Trek," Keenan said. "I don't think we'll stop until we reach that point and we are certainly not there yet."
Supporters of the research, including many in law enforcement and the military, say non-lethal weapons represent a more humane approach to the business of keeping civil order and conducting war.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 18
Thomas Jefferson
posted 4/26/08 @ 11:00 AM EST
Police State 2008!
Just what they need...a gun that seeks out and burns my eyeballs when I'm exercising my rights.
"I don't give a goddamn," Bush retorted. (Continued…)
Jim DeFilippis
posted 4/26/08 @ 10:17 PM EST
Well, let's see. This is sponsored by the Pentagon, which I assume means its for the military. The last time I checked, the military's primary role in this country is not to put down demonstrations. (Continued…)
Thomas Jefferson
posted 4/28/08 @ 3:09 PM EST
"Well, let's see. This is sponsored by the Pentagon, which I assume means its for the military. The last time I checked, the military's primary role in this country is not to put down demonstrations. (Continued…)
Ockham's Folly
posted 4/28/08 @ 3:59 PM EST
I admit I'm a bit leery of this research, but not because I fear abuse directly from the people currently pursuing it. It just seems to me like something that can lead to far worse technologies in the future. (Continued…)
Thomas Jefferson
posted 4/28/08 @ 4:56 PM EST
"Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely." Lord Acton
Do you honestly think the organization with the most power in the world is good and pure?
"It just reinforces an age old concept: we the citizens must remain vigilant to help insure that new technology is not used to further attack and destroy our kin, across the Earth. (Continued…)
Dirk Diggler
posted 4/29/08 @ 2:14 AM EST
Wow, if you are going to repeatedly post paragraph after paragraph of barely intelligible rantings, please don't borrow the name of an actual intellectual. (Continued…)
Jim DeFilippis
posted 4/29/08 @ 2:50 AM EST
Don't waste your breath. He's a loon. I've seen a lot of videos of this type and all it proves is that propaganda comes in many forms. It's an unavoidable consequence of free speech. (Continued…)
Ken Mikelinich
posted 4/29/08 @ 10:43 AM EST
I think Glenn is doing a great job of attracting government research dollars to the institution. Yes, they may be DoD dollars, but remember many of the tangential scientific discoveries from such research benefit us today. (Continued…)
Jason Allard
posted 4/29/08 @ 11:18 AM EST
"Yes, they may be DoD dollars, but remember many of the tangential scientific discoveries from such research benefit us today. Take for example the Internet that we use today. (Continued…)
Jim DeFilippis
posted 4/29/08 @ 1:16 PM EST
I'm pretty sure I said our system is far from perfect.
However, anyone who thinks we need a revolution is a lunatic. Please tell me how we have it so bad? Am I the only one who magically escapes oppression every day? And enough with the flouride bull$#!t. (Continued…)
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