The US Pentagon has authorized the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to test a military-grade heat ray weapon for potential use along the US-Mexico border, according to a memo obtained by CNN.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed the memo in September, allowing DHS to borrow the weapon for seven months and develop tactics for its possible deployment during border operations.
The weapon, known as the Active Denial System (ADS), uses invisible electromagnetic waves to create an intense burning sensation on human skin without physical contact.
How the Heat Ray Works
The Active Denial System is a nonlethal weapon developed by the US military. It can project an invisible beam of electromagnetic energy over a distance of slightly more than half a mile.
According to military officials, the beam creates a burning sensation similar to opening a hot oven. The resulting tingling sensation can last between 10 and 15 minutes and creates a strong urge to move away.
The system is designed to disperse people without using conventional weapons.
Pentagon Approves Testing
The Pentagon has authorized DHS to borrow one Active Denial System for seven months, beginning in September 2026.
Under the agreement, DHS will be responsible for operating the weapon and developing procedures for its potential use. Pentagon personnel will not operate the system.
The memo does not specify where testing will take place or how the weapon might eventually be deployed.
DHS can also request an extension after the seven months if additional testing or deployment is required.
Previous Deployment Plans
According to CNN, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials have previously considered using the weapon to control crowds and discourage unauthorized border crossings.
In 2018, officials discussed deploying the system against migrants, but then-Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen rejected the proposal.
The weapon was also considered during protests following George Floyd’s killing in 2020.
The US military previously deployed the system to Afghanistan but never used it during combat operations.
Safety and Legal Concerns
The proposed use has raised concerns about safety, legality, and the potential risks to migrants.
Former border officials warned that people attempting to escape the heat ray could enter dangerous areas, including rivers, increasing the risk of drowning.
Officials also questioned whether the weapon could be directed at people who had not yet crossed into US territory.
Meanwhile, some Border Patrol agents have questioned the need for the technology, citing declining border crossings and increased staffing.
A CBP spokesperson told CNN that the agency continues to evaluate new technologies to improve its operational capabilities.
For now, DHS has permission to test the system, but authorities have not confirmed whether it will be deployed at the US-Mexico border.
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