PENTAGON ELABORATES "NON-LETHAL" PAIN WEAPON








WASHINGTON, MARCH 3, 2001. /RIA Novosti correspondent Kirill Glebov/ -- The Pentagon has elaborated a new "non-lethal" pain  weapon based on a microwave electromagnetic beam. It heats the  skin of human beings creating the same effect as a touch of a hot bulb. 


	Pentagon spokesmen say that the new weapon does not make any serious damage to people and can be used to restore public order and in peacekeeping operations, when there is no need to resort to "real" weapons. 


	According to the Pentagon's spokesmen, the need to have such a weapon became obvious after the peacekeeping operation in  Somalia in 1992-93, when American soldiers were often shelled in city districts in the presence of numerous civilians. 


	The new weapon was designed by the U.S. Marine Corps and cost USD 40 million. The army will be equipped with this  "microwave" weapon by 2009. It is to be tested on animals and human beings within the next few months. (shi/sol) 


	


	03/03/01    10:22