Sonic Weapons Defined: How Do They Work, And What Are They Used For?

As former U.S. military sergeant Herb Friedman put it, noise has at all times been utilized in warfare “to threaten the enemy and lift the morale of your personal individuals.” Although this certainly had an impression, issues modified when know-how allowed for the usage of literal sonic-based weaponry.

One of many first such fashionable weapons was deployed by the US army with the “Lengthy-Vary Acoustic System” — or LRAD. This weapon noticed use throughout the warfare in Iraq within the mid-2000s, and will reportedly blast waves of sound at volumes approaching 150 decibels. In accordance with the CDC, that is about as intense because the sound of a firecracker, able to damaging ears and inflicting ache.

An LRAD seems to be like a easy speaker, and can be utilized in loudhailer/megaphone trend. Nevertheless, it may also be set to manage a robust, centered blast of sound in a particular space. With sound, it is the depth — reasonably than quantity — that’s key, and that is the place this horrible weapon excels. Audio producer Cory Choy described to Fashionable Mechanics in an interview that being uncovered to an LRAD was like “the sound equal of wanting into the solar … horrible, nauseating ache.”

The human ear could be very delicate to sounds between 2000 Hertz and 4000 Hertz. In consequence, the LRAD operates on this explicit area. The dispersal of sound signifies that it’s best in a slim space, however the concentrated wrath of such an LRAD weapon is fearsome.