Active Denial Technology (ADT)
Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2022 1:52 pm
https://jnlwp.defense.gov/Portals/50/Do ... _AUG20.pdf
Joint Intermediate Force Capabilities Office
3097 Range Road, Quantico, VA 22134-5100
http://jnlwp.defense.gov
Updated August 2020
WHAT IS IT?
Active Denial Technology (ADT) produces a focused beam of
directed energy (DE) to provide the Joint Force with an option to
stop, deter and turn back suspicious individuals with minimal risk of
injury. ADT is an intermediate force capability designed to bridge the
gap between presence and lethal force without causing unnecessary
destruction or loss of life.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Traveling at the speed of light, an invisible DE beam of radio
frequency millimeter waves engages the subject, penetrating skin to
a depth of only about 1/64th of an inch—the equivalent of three
sheets of printer paper. This repel effect produces an intolerable
heating sensation, compelling the targeted individual to instinctively
move. It ceases immediately after the individual moves out of the
beam or when the operator turns off the ADT system. There is
minimal risk of injury due to the shallow energy penetration of the
skin, normal human instinctive reactions, and system engineering
controls.
OPERATIONAL IMPACT
Active Denial Technology systems produce reversible effects at
distances up to and beyond small arms range, providing U.S. forces
with additional decision time and space to validate that a perceived
hostile intent/act is, in fact, hostile. ADT may be used to complement
force application and force protection missions, to include maneuver,
patrol and convoy protection, perimeter security, and other
defensive and offensive operations from fixed-site or mobile
platforms.
HUMAN EFFECTS
Demonstration and testing of the large-scale version of ADT included
more than 12,000 exposures on volunteers in static environments and
realistic operational assessments. Laboratory research and full-scale
test results demonstrated that there is less than a one-tenth of one
percent chance of injury from system exposure.
Research on the safety and effectiveness of 95 gigahertz millimeter
wave directed energy has been peer-reviewed in numerous
professional journals and independently reviewed by a Human
Effects Advisory Panel.
LEGACY CONFIGURATION
From 2002 to 2007, the Active Denial System (ADS) Advanced
Concept Technology Demonstration packaged ADT into two
system configurations. System One, the technology prototype,
integrated the technology with a High Mobility Multi-Purpose
Wheeled Vehicle. System Two was built afterwards as an
armored, containerized system transportable by tactical
vehicles. Each successfully completed a series of land- and
maritime-based military utility assessments. From 2014-2015,
System One was refurbished into a more robust and mobile
system that could be transported by a Marine Corps Medium
Tactical Vehicle Replacement truck.
Both prototypes are long-range, large spot-sized systems and
available for Service or Combatant Command exercises. Each is
suitable for testing, evaluation, exercises, and demonstrations.
NEXT-GENERATION ADT CONFIGURATION
From 2010 to 2015, a significantly more compact (less than two
tons), shorter-range, solid-state technology-based ADS was
built in partnership with the U.S. Army, and is also available for
testing and evaluation.
FUTURE EFFORTS
A third configuration of ADT leverages further advancements in
solid-state gallium nitride (GaN) Monolithic Microwave
Integrated Circuits. The U.S. Army is looking to improve size,
weight, and power-cost/cooling (SWAP-C2) for integration into
various mobile platforms. GaN is much more efficient than
silicon for integrated circuits and is one of the core technologies
that facilitates SWAP-C2 improvements.
Additional efforts include:
• Operational assessments
• NATO case studies
• Reduce size and weight in:
o prime power generation
o cooling alternatives
o antenna design
o armoring
• Incorporate ADT with other technologies as a system-of-systems for broader applications
• Leverage human effects research to inform optimal system design parameters
• W-band transparent armor
Joint Intermediate Force Capabilities Office
3097 Range Road, Quantico, VA 22134-5100
http://jnlwp.defense.gov
Updated August 2020
WHAT IS IT?
Active Denial Technology (ADT) produces a focused beam of
directed energy (DE) to provide the Joint Force with an option to
stop, deter and turn back suspicious individuals with minimal risk of
injury. ADT is an intermediate force capability designed to bridge the
gap between presence and lethal force without causing unnecessary
destruction or loss of life.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Traveling at the speed of light, an invisible DE beam of radio
frequency millimeter waves engages the subject, penetrating skin to
a depth of only about 1/64th of an inch—the equivalent of three
sheets of printer paper. This repel effect produces an intolerable
heating sensation, compelling the targeted individual to instinctively
move. It ceases immediately after the individual moves out of the
beam or when the operator turns off the ADT system. There is
minimal risk of injury due to the shallow energy penetration of the
skin, normal human instinctive reactions, and system engineering
controls.
OPERATIONAL IMPACT
Active Denial Technology systems produce reversible effects at
distances up to and beyond small arms range, providing U.S. forces
with additional decision time and space to validate that a perceived
hostile intent/act is, in fact, hostile. ADT may be used to complement
force application and force protection missions, to include maneuver,
patrol and convoy protection, perimeter security, and other
defensive and offensive operations from fixed-site or mobile
platforms.
HUMAN EFFECTS
Demonstration and testing of the large-scale version of ADT included
more than 12,000 exposures on volunteers in static environments and
realistic operational assessments. Laboratory research and full-scale
test results demonstrated that there is less than a one-tenth of one
percent chance of injury from system exposure.
Research on the safety and effectiveness of 95 gigahertz millimeter
wave directed energy has been peer-reviewed in numerous
professional journals and independently reviewed by a Human
Effects Advisory Panel.
LEGACY CONFIGURATION
From 2002 to 2007, the Active Denial System (ADS) Advanced
Concept Technology Demonstration packaged ADT into two
system configurations. System One, the technology prototype,
integrated the technology with a High Mobility Multi-Purpose
Wheeled Vehicle. System Two was built afterwards as an
armored, containerized system transportable by tactical
vehicles. Each successfully completed a series of land- and
maritime-based military utility assessments. From 2014-2015,
System One was refurbished into a more robust and mobile
system that could be transported by a Marine Corps Medium
Tactical Vehicle Replacement truck.
Both prototypes are long-range, large spot-sized systems and
available for Service or Combatant Command exercises. Each is
suitable for testing, evaluation, exercises, and demonstrations.
NEXT-GENERATION ADT CONFIGURATION
From 2010 to 2015, a significantly more compact (less than two
tons), shorter-range, solid-state technology-based ADS was
built in partnership with the U.S. Army, and is also available for
testing and evaluation.
FUTURE EFFORTS
A third configuration of ADT leverages further advancements in
solid-state gallium nitride (GaN) Monolithic Microwave
Integrated Circuits. The U.S. Army is looking to improve size,
weight, and power-cost/cooling (SWAP-C2) for integration into
various mobile platforms. GaN is much more efficient than
silicon for integrated circuits and is one of the core technologies
that facilitates SWAP-C2 improvements.
Additional efforts include:
• Operational assessments
• NATO case studies
• Reduce size and weight in:
o prime power generation
o cooling alternatives
o antenna design
o armoring
• Incorporate ADT with other technologies as a system-of-systems for broader applications
• Leverage human effects research to inform optimal system design parameters
• W-band transparent armor