The U.S. Department of Homeland Security received permission from the Pentagon to test a heat ray weapon for border use

Updated 2026-10-24 · told from many outlets at once

The U.S. military has authorized a non-lethal heat ray system for testing at the southern border, with a seven-month loan period and plans for use in Afghanistan.

• The Active Denial System shoots an energy beam causing intense heat sensation on the skin.
• The Pentagon granted the Department of Homeland Security permission to test a military-grade heat ray.
• The US military briefly deployed the system to Afghanistan nearly two decades ago.
• The Pentagon stipulated that the Department of Homeland Security is solely responsible for the system's use and tactics.
• The temporary loan of the ADS is set to last for seven months.
• Military officials stated the resulting tingling effect lasts between 10 and 15 minutes.

Outlets: Clarín, EL PAÍS: el periódico global, Egypt Independent, Kaktus.media, La Nación (Argentina), La Tercera, Prensa Libre, The Guardian, The Independent

Written by AI from the outlets' reporting and checked automatically; it can contain mistakes. How Daily Brief works · Privacy