By John McHale

TUCSON, Ariz.—Raytheon Co. delivered its non-lethal Active Denial System 2 to the U.S. Air Force this summer. Raytheon’s Active Denial System is designed to use millimeter wave technology to repel individuals without causing injury.

Active Denial System 2 is an enhanced, ruggedized version of the initial active denial capability that Raytheon built for the Air Force under the Office of the Secretary of Defense’s Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration program.

“We are very pleased with the way the Raytheon team has worked as systems integrators to reach this important milestone. Active Denial System 2 incorporates design improvements enabling the system to be employed in all operational environments,” says Col. Kirk Hymes, director of the Joint Non-lethal Weapons Directorate. “This represents a major step forward in providing the war-fighter with a viable, non-lethal, extended range, active denial capability.”

The Active Denial System emits a focused beam of millimeter wave energy that penetrates the skin to 1/64th of an inch, producing an intolerable heating sensation that causes targeted individuals to flee. The Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration program has conducted extensive human effects safety testing and extended user evaluations in field conditions.

The program has focused on developing and fielding the U.S. military’s first extended range, non-lethal, directed-energy, platform-independent system. Under oversight of the Joint Non-lethal Weapons Directorate, the Air Force is designated as the lead for the program.

Raytheon’s Active Denial System 2 provides military, civilian law enforcement, and security organizations with a truly non-lethal system that is optimized for situations where the use of lethal force may not be appropriate or warranted.

“Raytheon has led the way in maturing this technology. Active Denial System 2 is now ready to provide the warfighter with a new, non-lethal force protection capability,” says Raul Mendoza, Raytheon’s Non-lethal Systems director.