American Firm Develops Defensive Sonic Blaster To Repel Pirate Attacks

November 18, 2009 1:11 p.m. EST

Miami, FL (AHN) - A recent pirate attack on a U.S. Flagged cargo ship was repelled by some hi-tech sound waves. The device called a Long Range Acoustic Device is growing in popularity with both the military and private enterprise.

The Maersk Alabama caught itself under attack by pirates for the second time in seven months on Wednesday. Rather than be taken captive again armed guards on board the vessel used the device and were able employ evasive maneuvers to get to safety.

Also a luxury cruise ship in 2005 found itself in the sites of pirates and under attack. The vessel used its sonic blaster and was able to get away.

Most people when they think of high seas weaponry they generally don't think of sonic blasters so it leaves a lot to the imagination. AHN investigated the device and found that it is growing in popularity because despite unknown and unforeseen dangers on the waters of the world, getting guns and ammunition through customs in many of the world's ports is not an easy feat.

American Technology Corporation (ATC), a firm which developed the device says the amplifier focuses and broadcasts sound over ranges of up to hundreds of yards. Additionally they say LRADs shoot out a concentrated blast of 150 decibels of "screeching" noise. The decibel level is well above the level of sound nightclub speakers give off. Even during land based attacks where the sound isn't amplified by the water it sends opposing forces in the other direction.

Carl Gruenler, former vice president of military and government operations for American Technology Corporation (and who now runs a company making a competing device), says that being within 98 yards of the device is extremely painful, but its use should be limited to 300 yards to be effectively used.

Defense experts say the device is powerful enough to cause permanent auditory damage, but that it is only meant to be used for a few seconds at a time.

With its full range of arsenal at its disposal the U.S. Navy even employs 45 of the devices and reportedly is currently in the market for more.

The Army and Marine Corps in Iraq use it to disperse crowds and, in a mounted version, to protect convoys. Corrections and police departments armed with the blaster can put down riots without firing a shot. Currently the Army and Marine Corps in Iraq use it to disperse crowds.

The devices can also be mounted on military vehicles to protect convoys. Internationally and locally corrections and police departments used the sonic blaster to quell riots without firing a shot.

ATC goes on to say the device can also be used to record a message and broadcast to issue bulletins, or flood survivors and give directions for help.