US Plans to Test Military Heat Ray That Makes Human Skin Feel Like It’s Burning

The US Pentagon has given Department of Homeland Security (DHS) permission to experiment with a military-grade weapon capable of producing a burning sensation on human skin, potentially for use along the US-Mexico border, according to a memo revealed by CNN. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed the document in September, giving DHS a seven-month window to handle the weapon and figure out how to deploy it during border operations.

Known as the Active Denial System (ADS), this nonlethal weapon works by emitting an invisible beam of electromagnetic energy up to half a mile. The beam stimulates a burning feeling akin to standing near a hot oven, causing a tingling sensation that typically lasts from 10 to 15 minutes. The system's intended purpose is to disperse individuals without resorting to traditional weapons.

The Pentagon has authorized DHS to borrow one Active Denial System for seven months, starting in September 2026, with DHS handling the weapon's operation and deployment strategies. The memo does not disclose the test location or the future deployment scenarios. DHS can also request an extension if further testing or deployment is deemed necessary.

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials had previously contemplated using the weapon to manage crowds and deter unauthorized border crossings, although Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen declined the proposal in 2018. The weapon was also slated for use during the protests following George Floyd's death in 2020, and the US military had deployed it in Afghanistan but never in active combat.

Yet, the plans have sparked discussions over safety, legal implications, and possible dangers to migrants. Former border officials cautioned that people fleeing the heat ray could enter perilous zones, such as rivers, heightening the risk of drowning. They also questioned the weapon's precision if not aimed at individuals who had not yet crossed into US territory.

Some Border Patrol agents have also voiced skepticism about the technology's necessity, pointing to a drop in border crossings and a rise in staff. CBP spokesperson acknowledged the agency's ongoing assessment of new technologies to enhance operational capabilities. For now, DHS has the green light to test the system, but final deployment decisions have not been made, leaving the matter open for further deliberations.