ATC says LRAD business growing.

American Technology Corporation (ATC) has issued a report on recent developments regarding its growing LRAD business. LRAD is a breakthrough long-range hailing and warning, directed acoustic device designed to communicate with authority and exceptionally high intelligibility.

From either a static or mobile location, LRAD can transmit a verbal challenge with instructions at operationally significant distances in a focused beam, and follow up with a powerful warning tone to influence behavior or determine intent. Recorded messages can be selected and transmitted over LRAD in multiple languages.

Used in maritime roles, LRAD supports force protection of critical assets against small boat terrorist threats plus visit/board/search and seizure missions during maritime interdiction operations. Land-based applications include crowd control, area denial, clearing buildings, psychological operations, and protection of critical infrastructure. Military services are also evaluating LRAD for use in helicopters to further extend their ability to hail and warn at longer distances and in remote locations.

Through a $320,000 contract awarded by the U.S. Navy, ATC delivered LRADs to the U.S. Navy in June for urgent use by Navy and Coast Guard patrol craft in the Persian Gulf shipping lanes in and around the Basra, Iraq, oil terminals.

The employment of LRAD either from patrol craft or small boats involved in maritime interdiction operations, or from oil platforms, allows for directed communication and warning at ranges in excess of 500 yards. LRAD provides a safe standoff distance to either defuse a potentially hostile situation, or to take additional action if verbal and tone warnings are ignored. Using LRAD can both save lives and protect critical infrastructure.

Feedback from the Navy’s 5th Fleet during the first month of LRAD use indicated maritime interdiction operations were very effective, more efficient, and safer. During the first two weeks of operation, over 400 interdictions were conducted with LRAD, resulting in over 80% of the vessels interrogated changing course as directed. LRAD enabled crews to reduce routine “pull along sides,” thereby significantly enhancing the safety of crews and their ships. LRAD’s operational success is described by the 5th fleet force protection officer as “phenomenal.”

As a result of its success over the last month, the U.S. Navy has awarded ATC another contract for $320,000 for urgent and immediate LRAD deliveries for use by Navy and Coast Guard patrol craft in the Persian Gulf shipping lanes in and around the Basra oil terminals.