Pentagon grants DHS permission to test heat ray weapon for use at border
Pentagon Authorizes DHS Testing of "Heat Ray" for Border Security
By Zachary Cohen and Priscilla Alvarez
Updated October 21, 2026
An Active Denial System (ADS) unit staged for a demonstration in Wellton, Arizona (April 2017).
According to a recently obtained memo signed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the Pentagon has granted the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) the authority to test a military-grade "heat ray." The goal is to develop specific tactics for the weapon's potential deployment during operations along the southern United States border.
⚡ What is the Active Denial System (ADS)?
The technology, formally designated as the Active Denial System, is categorized as a nonlethal weapon. It functions by emitting an invisible beam of electromagnetic energy.
Technical Specifications & Effects:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Mechanism | Invisible electromagnetic waves |
| Effective Range | miles (slightly over half a mile) |
| Physical Sensation | Intense burning on the skin |
| Duration | Tingling persists for minutes |
| Psychological Result | An "instinctive and irresistible urge to run" |
"Pentagon officials have previously compared the sensation to feeling a blast of heat when opening a hot oven." — Source: CNN
📜 Terms of the Agreement
The transfer of this technology is not a permanent hand-off but a specific arrangement. The memo outlines a "temporary loan" with the following conditions:
- Duration: Seven months, commencing in September.
- Personnel: The system
shall not be operated by DoW (Department of War) personnel. - Responsibility: DHS holds sole accountability for:
- System employment
- Actual use
- Development of tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs).
- Extension: DHS may request further use after the seven-month window based on operational necessity.
By explicitly barring Pentagon personnel from operation, the memo appears to distance the Department of Defense from the legal or ethical fallout of how the system is deployed.
🕒 Historical Context & Deployment Considerations
The use of the ADS has been debated for years across various theaters of operation.
While the Trump administration has prioritized aggressive border security and immigration crackdowns, deploying a heat ray would be an unprecedented escalation. CBP officials have long discussed using the system in high-traffic illegal crossing zones, though it has never been officially deployed there.
⚠️ Legal and Ethical Hurdles
The path to deployment has not been smooth. Officials have faced significant obstacles regarding the weapon's application:
- Use of Force: Questions regarding whether the "burning" sensation constitutes excessive force.
- Effectiveness: Uncertainty over how well it works in diverse border terrains.
- Sovereignty:
Deploying the beam on individuals still located within Mexican territory(This presents a major international legal risk). - Safety: Primary concerns regarding whether the beam could cause permanent physical harm.
Official Response: A spokesperson for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) stated: "CBP is continually evaluating new technologies, especially those that enhance operational effectiveness and strengthen mission capabilities."
🖼️ Related Media
| Author 1 | Author 2 | System Visual |
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