Plasma Acoustic Shield System

Plasma Acoustic Shield System

The Plasma Acoustic Shield System, or PASS, is in the process of being developed by Stellar Photonics. The company received a $2.7 million contract from the U.S. Government to build the PASS. [cite web |url=http://technology.newscientist.com/article/dn11723-plasma-shield-may-stun-and-disorientate-enemies.html |title=Plasma Shield may stun and disorientate enemies |publisher=New Scientist |accessdate=2008-09-22] It is part of a project supervised by the United States Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center. The laser was first tested in 2008, and will continue to be tested into 2009, with the testing of turret-mounted PASS.

Function

The device is able to disorientate an enemy using a series of mid-air explosions, and may also use "high-power speakers for hailing or warning, and a dazzler light source" [cite web |url=http://technology.newscientist.com/article/dn11723-plasma-shield-may-stun-and-disorientate-enemies.html |title=Plasma Shield may stun and disorientate enemies |publisher=New Scientist |accessdate=2008-09-22] Its low power would mean that it would be unable to do significant damage to a specific enemy. While it would not be classified as a weapon, because of its inability to stun or disable a target, its distracting light or explosions are hoped to impede the progress of those in its path. "The [PASS] creates a “mid-air plasma ball” that that “basically ignites the air in front of the person...It creates fireworks right in front of you.” [http://dandelionsalad.wordpress.com/2008/07/11/non-lethal-weapons-where-science-and-technology-service-repression/ "Non-Lethal Weapons: Where Science and Technology Service Repression"]

Description

The PASS uses Dynamic Pulse Detonation (DPD), a technology researched by Stellar Photonics wherein two short but powerful laser pulses first create a ball of plasma, then a supersonic shockwave creates a loud flash and bang. Pass is the first functioning DPD weapon system, and it may lead to the construction of a "man-portable tuneable laser weapon that could be used in both non-lethal and lethal modes". [cite web |url=http://technology.newscientist.com/article/dn11723-plasma-shield-may-stun-and-disorientate-enemies.html |title=Plasma Shield may stun and disorientate enemies |publisher=New Scientist |accessdate=2008-09-22]

References

External links

* [http://technology.newscientist.com/article/dn11723-plasma-shield-may-stun-and-disorientate-enemies.html New Scientist Article about the PASS]
* [http://www.sphotonics.com Stellar Photonics Webpage]
* [http://www.pica.army.mil/picatinnypublic/products_services/products18.asp Picatinny Advanced Energy Weapons Systems Webpage]


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