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CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Three Marines stood side by side in anticipation of what was about to hit only one of them. Before he could even decide, the middle man, 1st Lt. David Deal, rushed to the side to escape the wave of heat released by the Active Denial System that overtook him. This non-lethal weapon uses millimeter wave technology to give the effect of an almost intolerable heating sensation that completely diminishes once removed and causes no damage to the body.
The ADS debuted for the first time aboard Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 17, 2014. Along with the ADS, the Mini Distributed Sound and Light Array system and the Persistent Ground Surveillance System were three of the non-lethal weapon system prototypes demonstrated aboard Camp Pendleton during Exercise Valiant Mark, a recurring joint exercise where Singaporean soldiers work with Marines, practice combat simulations, and exchange training techniques and technologies.
“Partnering with the Singaporeans allows us to learn from them as well as they learn from us,” said Deal, platoon commander, Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. “We’re learning how they operate their technology and what types of technology they have, while they’re learning about techniques and procedures that we utilize.”
In order to amplify its capabilities, the Singaporeans linked their technology to the PGSS, a camera placed on a blimp that enables the use of smart phones to track the enemy’s position while they move. Their equipment can detect aggressive acts and monitor the difference between uniforms and civilian clothing and the difference between privately owned vehicles and military vehicles.
“It’s extremely helpful because you can hand these smart phones out to every fire team leader and now the entire platoon has the same [situational awareness] you do,” said Deal, a Placerville, California, native. “I could be calling in where I want that camera to move, and now every fire team leader, or even every member in the platoon could potentially have the access to look and see exactly what it is that I’m looking at as well.”
When the ADS and PGSS do not alleviate enemy threats, the Mini-DSLA is used. This system projects eye-safe laser, lights and intelligible voice over hundreds of meters to give a warning to possible intruders to stop advancing, said Col. Michael Coolican, Director of the Joint Non-lethal Weapons program for the Department of Defense.
These non-lethal weapons are designed to protect the innocent, minimize fatalities and give friendly military forces a more robust set of options for dealing with hostile people during military operations.
“As far as working with the different militaries, for me it’s great to really know our allies,” said Deal. “It gives the Marines an understanding of what they will be working with in the future. The Marines are now more sensitive to this and they have a better understanding of how to get over the challenges that could be presented by language barriers, cultural differences, and different techniques, tactics and procedures.”
The training during Valiant Mark between the U.S. Marine Corps and the Singapore Army ensures that both militaries are well prepared for working with each other to accomplish their mission in the case of future joint combat operations.
| Date Taken: | 12.17.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 12.22.2014 17:46 |
| Story ID: | 150959 |
| Location: | CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US |
| Hometown: | PLACERVILLE, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 198 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Three non-lethal weapon systems are demonstrated aboard Camp Pendleton during Exercise Valiant Mark, by Sgt Danielle Rodrigues, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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