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 all the time been utilized in warfare “to threaten the enemy and lift the morale of your individual folks.” Although this absolutely had an impression, issues modified when know-how allowed for using literal sonic-based weaponry.

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

An LRAD appears like a easy speaker, and can be utilized in loudhailer/megaphone style. Nonetheless, it can be set to manage a strong, targeted blast of sound in a selected space. With sound, it is the depth — quite than quantity — that’s key, and that is the place this horrible weapon excels. Audio producer Cory Choy described to Well-liked Mechanics in an interview that being uncovered to an LRAD was like “the sound equal of trying into the solar … horrible, nauseating ache.”

The human ear may 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 slender space, however the concentrated wrath of such an LRAD weapon is fearsome.