As officials in London continue to beef up security in preparation for the Olympic Games in the city this summer, the Ministry of Defense confirmed that it will be deploying a Long Range Acoustic Device, a weapon that can emit ear-splitting beams of sound up to 150 decibels. The device can also be put to more peaceful purposes, including being used as a sort of super-megaphone to broadcast verbal messages. The U.S. Army has used the device in Iraq to issue instructions to large crowds, and has been used on the seas to combat Somali pirates. “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,” a Ministry of Defense spokesman told reporters.
