India urgently needs to deploy Active denial systems which can smoke terrorists out of hideouts

Active Denial System (ADS) is a highly effective non-lethal, directed-energy weapon and it is about time we either acquire one from the U.S. on an urgent basis or order DRDO to develop an indigenous non-lethal weapon for India. It is designed for area denial, perimeter security and crowd control.

The first ADS was developed under the sponsorship of the U.S. DoD Non-Lethal Weapons Program with the Air Force Research Laboratory as the lead agency. There are reports that Russia and China are also developing their own versions of the Active Denial System.

The active denial systems (ADS) developed by the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO which can freeze terrorists without causing any physical harm. It can create an uncomfortable pain-like feeling in terrorists taking shelter at a safe zone and force them to come out from their hideout

The ADS works by firing a high-powered beam of 95 GHz waves at a target, which corresponds to a wavelength of 3.2 mm. The wave energy works on a similar principle as a microwave oven, exciting the water and fat molecules in the skin, and instantly heating them via dielectric heating.

Once fired, the ADS can send micro heat waves at 44 °C which is non-lethal but at the same time can be extremely effective to disperse a stone-pelting crowd in J&K. First-degree burns occur at about 51 °C.

ADS is also extremely effective in crowd control and can be surely used in a place like South Kashmir where Indian Army operations are hindered when the local population comes out in large numbers to protect terrorists and start stone-pelting. ADS has applications for crowd control and perimeter defense, and filling “the gap between shouting and shooting.”ADS is extremely effective when compared to other methods such as pepper spray, tear gas, water cannons, slippery foam and rubber bullets.

This system works with High Power Electro Magnetic Waves which is part of developing Electromagnetic Warfare.

There are unconfirmed reports of Israel researching on its own ADS. With defence ties between India and Israel at an all time high, we can surely seek help or jointly develop it with Israel. Its about time we make use of sophisticated technology so that our soldiers can respond to an insurgency situation in Kashmir with brute force.

Is the Active Denial System dangerous?

The ADS is known for its ability to briefly and intensely heat the topmost surface of the skin without actually harming the human target. In most cases, therefore, it’s not found to be harmful to the exposed individual. In fact, that characteristic, along with its long range, makes it a very effective non-lethal weapon.

The effects of the ADS have been tested by conducting studies spanning more than 15 years and involving more than 13,000 exposures from volunteers. According to the US’ Non-lethal Weapons program, the use of V-MADS on individuals demonstrates a minimal risk of injury and high effectiveness.

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This article has been written by Darshil Patel
Bsc. in CASFX.
Location – MUMBAI

Source:- Defence News.in