Called the "Active Denial System" it's been under development for over a decade and effectively deals with unruly crowds without firing projectiles. Instead, it mounts on a vehicle such as Humvee and fires an invisible beam that gives the receiver the sensation that their skin is burning, and crowds disperse without harm. Military commanders are asking that it be deployed to Iraq but the US government is reluctant to put it into action. Military lawyers have deemed it legal for use under current conditions in Iraq but the public perception of such a device is negative, especially since all documentation regarding testing and legal reviews is classified. According to this Globe and Mail article, "The Active Denial System is a directed-energy device, although it is not a laser or a microwave. It uses a large, dish-shaped antenna and a long, V-shaped arm to send an invisible beam of waves to a target as far away as 500 yards.
With the unit mounted on the back of a vehicle, U.S. troops can operate a safe distance from rocks, Molotov cocktails and small-arms fire.
The beam penetrates the skin slightly, just enough to cause intense pain. The beam goes through clothing as well as windows, but can be blocked by thicker materials, such as metal or concrete."
Sounds like something straight out of the comic books.
