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the use of net-like entanglements for SEAL teams, or ‘stealthy’ metal boats with low or no radar signature, “for night actions, or any seabore or come-ashore stealthy scenario", are under consid- eration.’* More colourful concepts are the use of chemical metal embrittlement, often called liquid metal embrittlement and anti- materiel polymers which would be used in aerosol dispersal sys- tems, spreading chemical adhesives or lubricants (i.e., Teflon- based lubricants) on enemy equipment from a distance. Closer examination of the types of weapons to be used as non- lethal invalidates her assertions about their non-lethality. According to her white paper, the areas where non-lethal weapons could be useful are “regional and low intensity conflict (adventur- ism, insurgency, ethnic violence, terrorism, narco-trafficking, domestic crime)."’ She believes that "by identifying and requiring a new category of non-lethal weapons, tactics and strategic plan- ning” the US can reshape its military capability "to meet the already identifiable threats" that they might face in a multipolar world "where American interests are globalized and American presence widespread.""° Anti-personnel non-lethal technologies: ¢ Hand-held lasers which are meant “to dazzle", could also cause the eyeball to explode and to blind the target. + Isotropic radiators—explosively driven munitions, capable of generating very bright omnidirectional light, with similar effects to laser guns. + High-power microwaves (HPM). US Special Operations Command already has that capability within their grasp as a portable microwave weapon.’* As Myron L, Wolbarsht, a Duke University opthalamist and expert in laser weapons, stated: "US Special Forces can quietly cut enemy communications but also can cook internal organs."”” ¢ Another candidate is infrasound-acoustic beams. In conjunc- tion with the Scientific Applications and Research Associates (SARA) of Huntingdon, California, ARDEC and Los Alamos lab- oratories are busy "developing high power, very low frequency acoustic beam weapons." They are also looking into methods of projecting non-diffracting (i.e., non-penetrating) high frequency acoustic bullets. ARDEC scientists are also looking into methods of using pulsed chemical lasers. This class of lasers could project “a hot, high pressure plasma in the air in front of a target surface, creating a blast wave that will result in variable but controlled effects on materiel and personnel.” + Infrasound. Already some governments have used it as a means of crowd control, e.g., France. * Very low frequency (VLF) sound (20-35 kHz), or low-fre- quency RF modulations can cause nausea, vomiting and abdomi- nal pains. "Some very low frequency sound generators, in certain frequency ranges, can cause the disruption of human organs and, at high power levels, can crumble masonry." The CIA had a similar programme in 1978 called Operation Pique, which includ- ed bouncing radio or microwave signals off the ionosphere to affect mental functions of people in selected areas, including Eastern European nuclear installations.'® Janet Morris’ White Paper recommends "two types of life-con- serving technologies": Anti-materiel non-lethal technologies: To destroy or impair electronics, or in other ways stop mechani- cal systems from functioning. Amongst current technologies from which this category of non-lethal weapons would or could be cho- can ara: sen are: * Chemical and biological weapons for their anti-materiel agents "which do not significantly endanger life or the environment, or anti-personnel agents which have no permanent effects.""" + Laser blinding systems to incapacitate the electronic sensors, or optics, i.e., light detection and ranging. Already the Army Infantry School is developing a one-man portable and operated laser weapons system known as the Infantry Self-Defense System. The US Army's Armament Research, Development and Engineering Centre (ARDEC) is also engaged in the development of non-lethal weapons under their programme called "Low Collateral Damage Munitions" (LCDM). The LCDM is trying to develop technologies leading to weapons capable of dazzling and incapacitating missiles, armoured vehicles and personnel. * Non-lethal electromagnetic technologies. + Non-nuclear electromagnetic pulse weapons.” As General Norman Schwarzkopf has told the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, one such weapon stationed in space with a wide-area-pulse capacity has the ability to fry enemy electronics. But what would be the fate of enemy personnel in such a scenario? In a joint project with the Los Alamos National Laboratories and with technical support from the Army's Harry Diamond Laboratories, ARDEC are devel- oping High Power Microwave (HPM) Projectiles. According to ARDEC, the Diamond lab has already “completed a radio fre- quency effects analysis on a representative target set" for HPM. + Among the chemical agents, so-called supercaustics—"mil- lions of times more caustic than hydrofluoric acid"’—are prime candidates. An artillery round could deliver jellied super-acids which could destroy the optics of heavily armoured vehicles or tanks, vision blocks or glass, and "could be used to silent- ly destroy key weapons systems." On less lethal aspects, JOHN ALEXANDER The entire non-lethal weapons concept opens up a new Pandora's Box of unknown consequences. The main personality behind it is retired Colonel John B. Alexander. Born in New York in 1937, he spent part of his career as a Commander of Green Berets Special Forces in Vietnam, led Cambodian mercenaries behind enemy lines, and took part in a number of clandestine programmes, including Phoenix. He current- ly holds the post of Sw he NEXUS*13 THE POTENTIAL INVENTORY OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 1993