US “Sonic Blasters” Sold To China

("Звуковые бластеры" США проданы в Китай)

David Hambling

15.05.2008

wired.com

There was a surprising piece of gear at last month's China International Police Forum, held in Beijing. There, among the rows of law enforcement tech, was an American machine, the Long Range Acoustic Device.  It's not something you'd expect to see, because, depending on who you ask, the LRAD is either a "hailer" for signaling people far away -- or a sonic blaster.

Weapons exports to China are of course illegal, after a law passed in the aftermath of the Tiananmen Square massacre. However, As I report in New Scientist, LRAD is not classed as a weapon.

Система LRAD 1000, установленная на автомобиле

We have seen similar devices used elsewhere – Danger Room reported on an incident last year in Tbilisi in the former Soviet Union ("Georgia Police Turns Sonic Blaster on Demonstrators") and in a TV news clip a local weapons expert describes it as "an acoustic gun." However, although many Western media describe LRAD as weapon – especially after it was used to repel Somali pirates in 2006 – the makers stick to calling it a "device." Sharon looked at the distinction in DR last year (Acoustic "Device" or Acoustic Weapon?") and noted then that not calling it a weapon was a strategic move to avoid "politically charged debates."

LRAD's main function is as a hailing device, being basically a super-bullhorn. But it can also be used what has been termed a "warning tone," an extremely loud and unpleasant sound said to resemble a fire alarm. According to Wikipedia's LRAD entry: Carl Gruenler, (former) vice president of military and government operations for American Technology Corporation (and who now runs a company making a competing device), says that being within 100 yards (90 m) of the device is extremely painful, but its use should be limited to 300 yards (270 m) to be effectively used. He concedes that the device is powerful enough to cause permanent auditory damage, but that it is only meant to be used for a few seconds at a time.

In any case, there is nothing like LRAD on the State Department's Munitions list, so for legal purposes it is not considered a weapon.  Which means its maker can openly announce the LRAD's export to China. But it would be ironic to say the least if free speech protesters at this year's Beijing Olympics were drowned out or driven off by police wielding American technology.

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