Validity of Acoustic Weapon Effects

[chemisthypnos]

Note: this is a re-post from the physics area because this thread is probably more appropriate for this content.

There is a lot of rather contradictory information present on the biological effects of acoustic weapons with a bevy of scientific articles claiming that they cause harm to biological organisms with effects such as nausia, gagging, and disorientation. These articles are mostly from older scientific articles and modern government scientific reports on the issue, and statements by military leaders overseeing the development of the weapons (including defence contractors). Contradictory claims are also being made by a multitude of scientific sources from a variety of different countries and backgrounds.

I am not sure which one is correct after reading about a dozen articles from both sides. Does anyone have any insight on this issue?

Of note, there are a multitude of crackpots and conspiracy theorists that believe that the acoustic weapons are real and can do outworldly things- the media seems to have bought into these speculations thouroughly and should probably not be trusted.

Here are two articles (one claiming they work and the other denying it especially pertaining to infrasound):

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...oolever).pdf&usg=AOvVaw1lN5i64oG06oD52eJZOYRo

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...9altmann.pdf&usg=AOvVaw3Nro8eXDizm43lgLukgW4z

 

[Hairry]

All I know is that use of such weapons has been reported in the US as riot-control in e.g., Ferguson MO,

http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_t...ound_cannons_were_used_for_crowd_control.html

and that the ACLU has prepared a response:

https://www.aclu.org/sites/default/files/field_document/acoustic_weapons.pdf

These seem to be hearing-range acoustic devices. (there are yootooobe videos showing such devices and their use)
Infrasound? I know they DO cause an emotional response (you've probably experienced it in action and horror movies in a high-end theater), but damage, etc... don't know for sure...

at least the Federal Gov't (yeah- that highly reliable source of alternative facts...) asserts that these have been used against US and Canadian diplomats in Cuba. That assertion has been questioned.

http://www.iflscience.com/technology/sonic-weapons-attack-american-diplomats-cuba/

Cheers!