World Tribune.com

Israelis develop high-intensity sound weapon

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Monday, March 21, 2005

TEL AVIV —Israel's military has developed a non-lethal weapon to neutralize hostile demonstrators.

The military has tested the "Shout," a non-lethal acoustic system that employs a high intensity, high frequency sound beam meant to frighten hostile crowds. The Shout is capable of incapacitating targets up to 100 meters away without causing physical damage.

So far, three systems have been delivered to the Israel military's Central Command and deployment was scheduled to begin this month, Middle East Newsline reported. The Shout has already undergone military trials.

The Shout, which reproduces the sound of the firing of a tank shell, consists of a mounted acoustic cannon that aims a narrow beam of sound toward targets. The system has been designated for deployment on the Sufa 4x4 light utility armored vehicle, used in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Officials said the Israel Navy was also examining the system for deployment on fast patrol boats.

The development of Shout stemmed from a Defense Ministry decision to invest in research and development of non-lethal weapons in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The ministry has also developed a system that produces an odor so pungent that it causes people to flee.

Officials said Shout could help reduce the use of main battle tanks in operations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Brig. Gen. Gadi Eisencott, commander of military forces in the West Bank, said he has reduced the use of tanks over the last two years.


Copyright © 2005 East West Services, Inc.

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