Hegseth approves testing of "heat ray" at the border. Here's how it works

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has approved testing of a military-grade "heat ray" for potential use along the U.S.-Mexico border — a weapon that uses invisible energy beams to produce an intense burning sensation on human skin.Why it matters: The potential use of a military weapon against migrants raises significant safety and legal questions, including whether the technology could cause injuries or endanger people attempting to cross the border.Driving the news: CNN reports that Hegseth approved a seven-month loan of the Active Denial System to DHS, allowing the agency to test the weapon and develop tactics for its potential use at the border.The authorization doesn't mean deployment. It remains unclear if DHS will ultimately use the weapon.What they're saying: A Customs and Border Protection spokesperson tells Axios: "CBP is continually evaluating new technology, especially technology that can save lives while simultaneously enhancing national security effectiveness."Patrick Weaver, Hegseth's deputy chief of staff, commented on the testing in an X post: "The border is now a military installation and a battle lab for testing new systems, to include directed energy weapons," he w…

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