Sonic Weapons03:
Serbian government has been accused of using a banned ‘sonic weapon’ to disperse protesters in Belgrade.
- Sonic weapons (Acoustic Weapons) are devices that deliver loud, painful sounds over long distances.
- They can emit audible or inaudible sound waves to disrupt, disorient, or incapacitate people.
- Some versions act as voice amplifiers, allowing authorities to issue commands over large distances.
- First developed for military and crowd control purposes, they were used in Iraq (2004) by the U.S. military.
- Sonic Weapons Work use hundreds of transducers (electronic devices that convert energy into sound waves).
- The highly concentrated and amplified sound can be directed at specific targets.
- Authorities control the frequency, volume, and duration of the sound.
- The narrow sound beam can cause extreme discomfort, pain, and disorientation to those exposed.
- Types of Sonic Weapons:
- Long-Range Acoustic Device (LRAD): Used by law enforcement and military for crowd control. Can project sound over 8,900 meters at up to 160 decibels (dB), Causes ear pain, hearing damage, nausea, and dizziness.
- Mosquito Device: Emits a high-pitched sound that only younger people (below 30 years) can hear. Used to deter loitering in public areas. Causes irritation and discomfort in young individuals.
- Infrasonic Weapon: Emits low-frequency sounds that are inaudible to humans but cause physical pain and disorientation. Still under research, Potential to cause headaches, nausea, vertigo, and internal organ damage.
