Microwave 'Gun' Could End High-Speed Police Chases

[Drew27k9]

March 1, 2005 — The idea of a powerful ray gun has been a staple of science-fiction writing for decades. But a "weapon" that shoots invisible beams of energy could be making its way into law-enforcement hands soon.

The technology isn't exactly something that would replace a police officer's handgun. In fact, the system being developed by Eureka Aerospace in Pasadena, Calif., couldn't even be crammed into a standard pistol holster.

But the developers say their device, which uses technology more closely related to flash cooking than Flash Gordon, may help stop criminals and terrorists in their tracks.

James Tatoian, chief executive of Eureka, says the High Power Electromagnetic System is designed to disable cars — say, those fleeing from police officers — using bursts of microwave energy.

"Basically, since the 1970s, every car is built with some sort of microprocessor-controlled system — like the ignition control and fuel pump control a lot of vital car systems," says Tatoian. "If you introduce a parasitic current into their wires, it leads to a power surge which in turn burns out those microprocessors."

Once the car's chips are disabled, the vehicle will gradually slow to a halt, allowing police or other security forces to safely approach and apprehend the driver.

Tatoian is quick to admit that the company's experimental device isn't the first or only directed energy system designed to attack cars. Others have developed similar concepts and prototypes before. And some, like Eureka, are continuing their work using partial funding from a U.S. military research project that seeks to study the feasibility of "less than lethal" weapons.

But Tatoian believes his designers and researchers have come a lot further in terms of power, portability and usability than other alternative solutions.

"It's still in development stages, but the system is about 200 pounds in total weight. It will fit in a car with the [microwave] antenna mounted on the roof," says Tatoian. "It's also worthwhile to say that produces about 10 to 15 kilovolts per meter." During tests of the early unit, that was enough power to burn out chips in cars up to 100 meters distant.

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/Fut...=538452&page=1

[Wombat311]

Awwww, where's the fun in that? :p

Just kidding. Sounds cool. Can't wait to see the looks on the crooks faces when the car just dies.

[fatboyjim154]

Apparently it makes a "ding" noise and the doors open to reveal a piping hot pie that will take the skin from the roof of your mouth.

You have to wait a minute before arresting them. :D

[Wombat311]

I thought we weren't supposed to put metal in microwaves?

[Johninaustin]

Think of the uproar this would cause. They get all upset when we TASER them!! I can hear the press calling it a "Death ray" already.:rolleyes.

[Jynkxxie]

That's awesome. I know they have been taking about this for years. Can't wait to see it in action someday.

[Strijder]

Poor dirtbags. That won't hurt their pimpin' stereo, will it? :D

[Johninaustin]

Poor dirtbags. That won't hurt their pimpin' stereo, will it? :D

That brings to mind a new method of dealing with noise complaints. :D

[ngcsubutterbar]

"It's also worthwhile to say that produces about 10 to 15 kilovolts per meter."

ok if I'm reading right, that's 1k-1.5k volts. slightly larger voltage than the current household microwave. This thing shoots a beam, yup I'm seeing lawsuits already.

[Zwitterion]

*waiting for lawsuits regard accidentally zapped car/other electronic items, or cooked human meat*

[tenfour]

Won't happen, no way. It will affect other cars around, give people cancer...the list will just grow...

Good ol' pit maneuver!

[mcsap]

OK, so we zap the fleeing car and fry the electronics. ( clear , time, cookcontrol , start , the bad guy is caught and the car is towed. NOW the owner of the stolen 2005 Benz wants the PD to fix his car. Afterall, we zapped it right ?? Will be interesting to see how this works.

What if in the process of zapping the bad guy we are going through a residential and "zap" a few "innocent bystander" cars ?

[KittyMom]

I think this deserves citizen oversight.

Specifically, I think I should be allowed to test one of these on the bozos who speed down my residential street, pimped-out stereos a-blazing.

[mcsap]

I think they should build one that ONLY zaps car stereos I would be out cruising around with the thing on full auto.

[George]

Damn, now I gotta go back aand get an old car. :(