Sonic weapon

Sonic weapons are a type of directed-energy weapon. These devices use sound to injure or incapacitate an opponent. Some versions create a focused beam of sound or ultrasound. Other versions produce an area field of sound that covers a wide space.

Military and police forces use these tools for limited purposes. They can be used for crowd control or to deter specific groups of people. Because sound is a form of energy, it can be directed to cause physical effects.

The mechanism of a sonic weapon depends on its frequency and intensity. Extremely high-power sound waves can disrupt or destroy the eardrums of a target. This causes severe pain or disorientation, which is often enough to incapacitate a person. Less powerful waves might only cause nausea or discomfort. Some researchers have even suggested that certain frequencies can cause the eyeballs to vibrate. This vibration could lead to a distortion of vision. In the 1990s, researcher Vic Tandy studied how infrasound might cause these types of effects. He found that an extractor fan was producing low frequencies like 18.9 Hz, 0.3 Hz, and 9 Hz.

There are several distinct types of sonic devices used in different ways. A Long-Range Acoustic Device, or LRAD, produces a 30-degree cone of audible sound. This sound stays within the human hearing spectrum of 20 to 20,000 Hz. Another type is the Mosquito device, which uses ultra-high frequencies. It emits a blast around 19 to 20 kHz to deter teenagers. Many people over age 20 find this sound less noticeable due to age-related hearing loss. There is also a "magnetic acoustic device" used in similar designs. Finally, some burglars are deterred by high-amplitude sound patterns. These patterns use frequencies between 2 and 3 kHz, which is near the peak of human hearing sensitivity.

History shows many instances where these devices have been deployed. In 2005, the crew of the Seabourn Spirit used an LRAD to deter pirates. Police forces have used sound cannons during several major events. These include the 2009 G20 Pittsburgh summit and the 2014 Ferguson unrest. They were also used during the 2016 Dakota Access Pipeline protest. In 2020 and 2021, Greek authorities used long-range sound cannons at the Turkish border. More recently, there were claims regarding a 2025 Belgrade stampede. Some claimed a sonic weapon caused panic during a protest, though officials denied this.

The biological impact of sound is a significant area of study. Research on mice shows that high-intensity ultrasound can cause damage. Using frequencies from 700 kHz to 3.6 MHz can harm the lungs and intestines. In mice, lung and liver damage can occur at about 184 dB. Sound can also affect the heart by causing atrial flutter or bradycardia. In humans, low-frequency sonar exposure can lead to serious consequences. Scuba divers exposed to low-frequency tones for over 15 minutes may suffer brain tissue problems. These symptoms can resemble those of a minor head injury. This might happen because the sound creates mechanical strain on the brain tissue.

Specific incidents have raised questions about the use of directed energy. In 2016 and 2017, US and Canadian employees in Havana reported health problems. This event was known as "Havana syndrome." While some thought sonic attacks were to blame, recent reports suggest microwave energy or mass psychogenic stress might be the cause. In 2026, following an intervention in Venezuela, President Donald Trump spoke about secret weapons. He called one a "discombobulator" that could disable defense systems. However, a US official suggested he might have been mixing up different technologies like cyber tools and acoustic systems.

Sonic technology connects to many different scientific fields. It involves acoustics, which is the study of sound, and biology. It also relates to how energy moves through different environments. For example, low-frequency sound passes easily from water into a body. However, it does not pass into gas pockets because of mismatched acoustic impedance. This can cause lung and sinus injuries in divers or aquatic mammals. Understanding these interactions helps scientists study how sound waves behave in the physical world. It also helps researchers understand the limits of human and animal biology.