Pulsed Energy Projectile or PEP is a technology of non-lethal weaponry currently under development by the U.S. military. It involves the emission of an invisible laser pulse which, upon contact with the target, ablates the surface and creates a small amount of exploding plasma. This produces a pressure wave that stuns the target and knocks them off their feet, and electromagnetic radiation that affects nerve cells causing a painful sensation. The technology can also be used as a lethal weapon, and indeed an early name was Pulsed Impulsive Kill Laser (PIKL).
PEP is intended for riot control and is said to work over distances of up to 2 km. It weighs about 230 kg and will probably be mounted on vehicles. The weight could become lighter as laser production technology improves.
The system was developed by Mission Research Corporation (now owned by Alliant Techsystems). It uses a chemical deuterium fluoride laser device producing infrared laser pulses. The plasma (produced by the early part of the pulse) explodes because its electrons absorb the energy of the later part of the pulse.
In 2003, a US military review reported[citation needed] that the electromagnetic radiation produced by PEPs had been shown to cause pain and temporary paralysis in animal experiments.
Sources
- globalsecurity.org - Pulsed Energy Projectile (PEP)
- New Scientist - Maximum pain is aim of new US weapon, 2 March 2005
- Andrew Buncombe. Pentagon attacked for `Pulse' gun that inflicts long-distance pain. The Independent, 5 March 2005
- Military contract for PEP pain study, from thememoryhole.org
- John B. Alexander. Non-Lethal Weapons to Gain Relevancy in Future Conflicts. National Defense. March 2002
- Presentation on PIKL, by Harry Moore, 29 August 2000
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