Active Denial Array

Abstract

Active Denial Technology (ADT) -- which encompasses the use of millimeter waves as a directed-energy, nonlethal, counterpersonnel weapon -- has the potential to provide an important new escalation-of-force capability to U.S. operating forces. ADT projects a focused beam of 95-GHz millimeter waves to induce an intolerable heating sensation on an adversary s skin, repelling the individual with minimal risk of injury. More than a decade of research has established the biological and behavioral effects of ADT for large spot size systems, such as Active Denial System 1. While the effects of this large spot size system have been successfully established, the technology that produces those effects has the potential to progress in a number of ways, particularly with the development of smaller, lighter, and lower-cost systems. One research effort focuses on the development of smaller, lighter, and lower cost ADT demonstrators that produce commensurate "ADS-effects," with effective spot size and power densities on target. In support of this effort, the Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Program (JNLWP) sponsored the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) to develop a "smart target system," which measures the millimeter-wave beam using fast-response, 95-GHz diode detectors. NSWCDD subsequently developed and tested the W-Band Beam Diagnostic Array to characterize the system's beam with a temporal resolution of 30 Hz and a high spatial resolution of 1 inch. The system has been tested against two active denial systems, providing good agreement with the currently accepted methods, as well as valuable information regarding the system's beam characteristics. These accomplishments will allow future system development to take advantage of this better understanding to possibly reduce system size and increase the effective range.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2012
Accession Number
ADA557760

Entities

People

  • Matthew Ketner
  • Randy Woods

Organizations

  • Naval Surface Warfare Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Active Denial System
  • Detectors
  • Direct Current
  • Directed Energy Weapons
  • Elements
  • Heat Capacity
  • High Density
  • Horn Antennas
  • Information Operations
  • Leading Edges
  • Millimeter Waves
  • Nonlethal Weapons
  • Radio Frequency
  • Specific Heat
  • Surface Warfare
  • Voltage
  • W Band

Readers

  • Electronics Engineering
  • Pulsed Power and Plasma Physics.
  • Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Autonomous Capabilities and Mission Reconnaissance.

Technology Areas

  • 5G
  • 5G - DoD 5G Program
  • Directed Energy