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Pentagon Clears DHS to Test 'Heat Ray' at Southern Border

October 21, 2026

2 min read

Key Takeaways

The Pentagon has cleared DHS to test the Active Denial System.
The system projects an invisible beam of millimeter waves.
The beam causes an intense burning sensation on the skin.
The technology may be used at the southern border.

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Strategic Implications

The deployment of the Active Denial System may indicate a shift in US border control strategies, which could raise concerns about human rights and the use of military-grade technology for civilian purposes. This development suggests that the US government is exploring new methods to manage border security, which could have significant implications for immigration policy and international relations.

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What Happened

Military-Grade Technology Raises Concerns Over Human Rights

The Pentagon has given the Department of Homeland Security clearance to test a military-grade ‘heat ray’ system, known as the Active Denial System, for possible use at the southern border. The system projects an invisible beam of millimeter waves that can cause an intense burning sensation on the skin. The technology has been compared to the feeling of opening a hot oven, and its potential use at the border has raised concerns about human rights. The development was reported by the Baltimore Sun.

Source | Originally Published: October 21, 2026

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