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The upcoming summer Olympics are turning London into a highly militarized zone. All kinds of weaponry are currently being tested and deployed in the city such as land-to-air missiles, fighter jets, amphibious assault ships and machine guns. These highly controversial measures are not welcomed by many Londoners as they create an unnecessary climate of fear and oppression in the city.
The weapons being tested do not only have a military purpose. New crowd control weapons will be deployed during the Olympics such as high powered “sonic gun”. Here’s an article on this new weapon.
‘UK to deploy sound weapon in Olympics’
‘UK to deploy sound weapon in Olympics’
Surface-to-Air Missiles on Residential Flats
Residents of a block of flats in east London have been told the Army is considering positioning surface-to-air missiles on the roof of their building.
RAF Typhoon Jets Test London 2012 Security
Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have arrived at an airbase in London for a large-scale Olympic security exercise.
London 2012: HMS Ocean Olympic Security Exercise
A large-scale exercise to test Britain’s military capability ahead of the Olympics is under way.
A helicopter task-force is on board the Royal Navy’s largest warship, HMS Ocean, to prepare for their role in defending London against any potential terror attack during the Games.
Sonic Weapon Deployed for Olympics
Sky:
A device that can be used as a sonic weapon will be deployed in London for the Olympics.
The American-built long-range acoustic device (LRad) can be used both as a high-powered loud speaker and to emit an ear-piercing beam of sound.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed that it was among a “broad range of assets” being used by the Armed Forces to provide security during the Games.
A spokesman said it would be used primarily in “loud hailer mode” in order to issue verbal warnings to any boats on the River Thames that were causing concern.
However, the LRad can emit a highly focused beam of sound at a pain-inducing 150 decibels (dB).
In comparison, military jets have a take-off rating of 140 dB while instant perforation of an eardrum can occur at 160 dB.
The US army deployed LRad as a crowd control device during its struggles in post-war Iraq.
More recently, it used a vehicle-mounted system against G20 protesters in Pittsburgh in 2009, driving back US demonstrators with the LRad’s high-pitched sound.
The devices have also been used on cruise liners to ward off Indian Ocean pirate attacks.
Some models are now “man portable” backpacks that can blast alarm warnings at 137 dB, and can be used as land-based loud hailers with a range of 1km.
“As part of the military contribution to the police-led security effort to ensure a safe and secure games, a broad range of assets and equipment is being used by our Armed Forces,” the MoD spokesman said.
“This includes the LRad which will be deployed during the Olympic Games primarily to be used in the loud hailer mode as part of the measures to achieve a maritime stop on the Thames.”
