The History of Acoustic Weapons

Gone are the days where traditional weaponry was the only means of warfare. Technological advancement has allowed humans to create new weapons. It may seem a bit odd but the sound has been weaponized on a number of occasions, in the past. Sonic warfare, as it has come to be known, is incredibly versatile and has played an important part in numerous combat situations. Modern acoustic weapons such as deafening grenades and cannons do exist but let’s go a little back in time and see how the sound has evolved as means of deterrence.

LRAD

Specifically deployed by the US riot police, the sound is an effective and non-lethal means of dispersing protestors. In 2014, the shooting of Michael Brown sparked enormous remonstrations across the country. Demonstrators in Missouri, took to the streets, enraged by the death of another young black man at the hands of law enforcement. In order to stave them off, police deployed a Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD). The device sends out warning tones and sound waves that induce headaches. An LRAD can achieve a maximum volume of up to 149 decibels, which is 19 decibels above the human ear threshold. Needless to say, the LRAD is a very effective acoustic weapon.

Israeli Scream

In terms of new-generation military equipment, Israel is one of the undisputed global front-runners. The New York Post described them as “the most technologically advanced military on Earth”. Flashlights with puke rays, mobile microwave pain beams, and all such less-than-lethal weapons are used for thwarting enemies. Israel also threw its hat in the ring with another, called “the Scream”. The high-tech sound cannon fires sonic pulses at the targets, causing nausea and dizziness. Its use was seen at the rioters near a checkpoint at Jerusalem.

The Mosquito Alarm

A rather controversial device, the mosquito alarm was first used in Britain to disperse teenagers from public areas. The alarm emits an irritating high-pitched tone that is supposedly only audible to people younger than 25. In less than ten minutes, the grating whine is said to be able to move loiterers on from car parks or outside shops. People have reported it to be a horrible, piercing sound.

Naturally, various advocacy groups tilted in favor of banning the device as it violates fundamental human rights. Even those who are older than 25 and have a sensitive hearing can hear the “sting” of this acoustic weapon. Similarly, babies are also affected by this sonic irritant. Unfortunately, only a few cities have actually banned the device from being sold.

Wildlife Preservation

So far, we’ve seen the use of acoustic weapons only on humans but animals have also been made their victims. Many multimillion-dollar companies use sound for deterrence to protect their assets from wildlife. A lot of people believe that it’s a better way to scare the animals away instead of killing them.

Wind farms, oil platforms, and vineyards are among some of the businesses known to use acoustic weapons to protect their assets from attack. For example, over the better part of the last decade, LRAD units have played an integral role in reducing the number of bird strikes on the Guglielmo Marconi Airport in Bologna, Italy. Elsewhere, villagers in Northern Canada have begun to use them as a humane defense against polar bear attacks.

Nazi Propaganda Music

Bet you did not see this one coming. Germany has a proud history of revered classical composers—Beethoven, Bach, and Wagner, to name a few. The music tradition is so deep in the country that some people have come to call music as “the most German of all arts”. During the 1930s, modern music, such as jazz was seen as lowly and degenerate by many in society. With a clear hostility to modern trends, music was utilized by the Nazi Party as a way to stoke nationalist sentiments and instill people with what they saw as traditional German values. Hence, music became a significant weapon in the arsenal of the Third Reich. This cultural propaganda was wildly successful as their support increased massively.