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[POLITICS] · United States, Mexico · 16 sources

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Part of situation: US-Mexico border ADS testing and surveillance expansion (4 clusters)

Pentagon authorizes DHS to test heat ray weapon at US-Mexico border

Active Denial System Department of Homeland Security Pentagon border security directed energy weapon

The Pentagon has authorized the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to test the Active Denial System (ADS), a directed-energy “heat ray” weapon, for potential use at the U.S. southern border. A memorandum signed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth authorizes a seven-month loan of the system to the DHS, which will be solely responsible for its operation and the development of deployment tactics.

The ADS is a nonlethal weapon that emits an invisible 95 GHz microwave beam. The energy penetrates approximately 1/64 of an inch into the skin, heating water molecules to create an intense burning sensation similar to opening a hot oven. This sensation is designed to trigger an instinctive urge to flee. While the technology has been researched by the Air Force since the 1980s and tested by the military since 2008, its potential application for border security and crowd dispersal remains a significant development.

Previous attempts to use the technology, such as for riot control in Los Angeles in 2010, were halted due to pushback from civil rights groups and the FCC. The current authorization allows the DHS to determine specific use cases and may be extended following the initial seven-month period.

Entities

Customs and Border Protection · Department of Homeland Security · Mexico · Pentagon · Pete Hegseth · US-Mexico border · United States

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Sources

El gobierno de EE. UU. da luz verde a las pruebas de una nueva arma de rayos térmicos [tvn.com.ar]
Pentágono permite al Departamento de Seguridad probar un “rayo de calor” en la frontera con México [eltecolote.mx]
Pentágono autoriza evaluar controversial "rayo de calor" militar en la frontera con México - [expresion-sonora.com]
Arma antiinmigrante autorizada [massinformacion.com.mx]
Pentágono aprueba ensayos con "rayo de calor" para operativos fronterizos [2001online.com]
El Pentágono autoriza probar una poderosa arma no letal conocida como “rayo de calor” en la frontera con México [ajuaa.com]
EE.UU. refuerza frontera con tecnología que genera sensación de quemadura [canal44.com]
Pentagon Permits DHS To Test Heat Ray Weapon For Use At Southern Border…Because Why Not? [kissrichmond.com]
Estados Unidos autoriza probar “rayo de calor” en la frontera con México [aldialogo.mx]
Pentagon Permits DHS To Test Heat Ray Weapon For Use At Southern Border…Because Why Not? [mycolumbusmagic.com]
Pentagon Permits DHS To Test Heat Ray Weapon For Use At Southern Border…Because Why Not? [newstalkcleveland.com]
Pentagon Permits DHS To Test Heat Ray Weapon For Use At Southern Border…Because Why Not? [thebuzzcincy.com]
Pentagon Permits DHS To Test Heat Ray Weapon For Use At Southern Border…Because Why Not? [newsone.com]
Pentagon Permits DHS To Test Heat Ray Weapon For Use At Southern Border…Because Why Not? [rickeysmileymorningshow.com]
US Government Greenlights Testing Of New Heat Ray Weapon [www.slashgear.com]
The Trump administration is considering a ‘heat ray’ weapon for the border—here’s what to know [www.scientificamerican.com]