WASHINGTON — The U.S. military plans to introduce direct energy weapons in Iraq later this year.
As part of Project Sheriff, the Army also plans to introduce directed energy weapons in Afghanistan. Officials said the weapons would employ short-range and millimeter waves.
The Defense Department has accelerated development of energy beam weapons for non-lethal missions in Iraq. The weapons
would be supplied to the U.S. Army to help control hostile crowds without the use of gunfire.
The Pentagon has granted a contract to Raytheon to development the weapons. The company has already delivered a prototype vehicle and conducted demonstrations.
"This system will protect U.S. and allied war fighters operating in dangerous urban settings while reducing the number of civilian casualties," Mike Booen of Raytheon said.
The weapons have been integrated into the Stryker combat vehicle. Other platforms would also receive the energy beam
systems, officials said.
The first prototype with energy weapons was delivered earlier this year. Officials said three prototypes would be produced and sent to Iraq in mid-2006.
