Air Force chief: Test weapons on testy U.S. mobs

Discussion in 'Freedom and Liberty' started by ghostrider, Sep 14, 2006.


  1. ghostrider

    ghostrider Resident Poltergeist Founding Member

    Air Force chief: Test weapons on testy U.S. mobs

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    WASHINGTON (AP) -- Nonlethal weapons such as high-power microwave devices should be used on American citizens in crowd-control situations before being used on the battlefield, the Air Force secretary said Tuesday.
    The object is basically public relations. Domestic use would make it easier to avoid questions from others about possible safety considerations, said Secretary Michael Wynne.
    "If we're not willing to use it here against our fellow citizens, then we should not be willing to use it in a wartime situation," said Wynne. "(Because) if I hit somebody with a nonlethal weapon and they claim that it injured them in a way that was not intended, I think that I would be vilified in the world press."
    The Air Force has paid for research into nonlethal weapons, but he said the service is unlikely to spend more money on development until injury problems are reviewed by medical experts and resolved.
    Nonlethal weapons generally can weaken people if they are hit with the beam. Some of the weapons can emit short, intense energy pulses that also can be effective in disabling some electronic devices.
    On another subject, Wynne said he expects to choose a new contractor for the next generation aerial refueling tankers by next summer. He said a draft request for bids will be put out next month, and there are two qualified bidders: the Boeing Co. and a team of Northrop Grumman Corp. and European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co., the majority owner of European jet maker Airbus SAS.
    The contract is expected to be worth at least $20 billion (€15.75 billion).
    Chicago, Illinois-based Boeing lost the tanker deal in 2004 amid revelations that it had hired a top Air Force acquisitions official who had given the company preferential treatment.
    Wynne also said the Air Force, which is already chopping 40,000 active duty, civilian and reserves jobs, is now struggling to find new ways to slash about $1.8 billion (€1.4 billion) from its budget to cover costs from the latest round of base closings.
    He said he can't cut more people, and it would not be wise to take funding from military programs that are needed to protect the country. But he said he also incurs resistance when he tries to save money on operations and maintenance by retiring aging aircraft.
    "We're finding out that those are, unfortunately, prized possessions of some congressional districts," said Wynne, adding that the Air Force will have to "take some appetite suppressant pills." He said he has asked employees to look for efficiencies in their offices.
    The base closings initially were expected to create savings by reducing Air Force infrastructure by 24 percent.
     
  2. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    I got a problem with that whole concept. Why not try it out on the battlefield or prison riot control? PCness gone bad.
     
  3. E.L.

    E.L. Moderator of Lead Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    [ditto]
     
  4. RightHand

    RightHand Been There, Done That RIP 4/15/21 Moderator Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    I think Secretary Wynne should volunteer as the test subject so that he can be assured that no unintentional harm would be inflicted upon our enemies on the battlefield.
     
  5. E.L.

    E.L. Moderator of Lead Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    [bestpost] Brilliant!
     
  6. Seacowboys

    Seacowboys Senior Member Founding Member

    Try them out on Congress.:cool:
     
  7. Sojourner

    Sojourner Silverback

    Now, there's a good idea, SeaCowboys.
     
  8. ricdoug

    ricdoug Monkey+++

    I agree, ghrit...

    I'm sure that Arizona Tent Prison Warden would volunteer his facilities. Ric

     
  9. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    Not at all a good idea, sorry to disagree. I'd say test new lethal ideas in/on Congress, especially when one or another of our fave reps are in the chambers.
     
  10. monkeyman

    monkeyman Monkey+++ Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    Test and retest leathal ones on any of the idiots in power who figure we should not use anything against our enemies on the battlefield in a war that we would not use against our own citizens because someone might say mean things about us!
     
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