Lasers from Sound: Tomorrow’s Threat Suppression Tech
Turning Sound into a Laser
If you’re alive today, you’ve undoubtedly noticed how unstable the world seems to have become.
Wars, civil unrest, acts of terrorism and piracy, rioting in the streets — we see it every single day, whether we want to or not.
In the past, violent civil unrest has been dealt with using bullets and fire hoses — two methods that are either very likely or certain to inflict permanent injury.
For today’s governments, militaries, police forces, and all the way down to maritime security forces operating from cargo and civilian vessels, a cheap, effective, non-lethal solution has been a long time coming.
And now it’s here.
LRAD Corporation is a pioneer in acoustic focusing technology. Put more simply, it makes machines that turn ordinary sound waves into acoustic laser beams — capable of projecting a human voice almost two miles or bombarding hostile individuals or large, unruly groups with a painful and disruptive but otherwise harmless column of sound.
Its clients include all three branches of the U.S. Armed Forces (Army, Navy, and Air Force), as well as the militaries of numerous named and unnamed countries and countless private security organizations, with more orders announced on a near-monthly basis.
Company Overview: LRAD Corporation
Symbol: (NASDAQ: LRAD)
Share Price: $1.88
Market Capitalization: $66 million
Shares: 33 million
52-Week Range: $1.37 – $2.06
12-Month Target: $3.00
LRAD Corporation designs, develops, and markets directed sound devices and systems in North and South America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
Its proprietary technology can focus and project sound across vast distances, allowing for both added communications in high-ambient noise environments and crowd control and non-lethal assault deterrence.
Since its first appearance on seagoing vessels following the 2000 attack on the USS Cole, the company’s Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) has become a staple of shipboard defense — both naval and commercial — for vessels operating in hostile waters.
LRAD sells its products directly to government, military, end-users, and defense-related companies. Founded in 1980 and headquartered in San Diego, California, the company was known as American Technology Corporation until March 2010, when it changed its name to LRAD Corporation.
Product Line
Core Technology
The Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) is a high-intensity directional acoustic hailer designed for long-range communication and issuing powerful, physically disruptive warning tones.
The LRAD is designed to communicate with authority and exceptionally high intelligibility. These systems are easy to use in the field and are available in both manual and autonomous versions for around-the-clock operation in the harshest military conditions.
The LRAD can broadcast in any language with authoritative and highly intelligible communication. It provides military personnel with a powerful, penetrating warning tone that can be followed by clear voice broadcasts in host nation languages to warn and shape the behavior of potential threats.
LRAD’s directed sound technology moves the vocal command envelope from 150 feet (without LRAD) to in excess of 9,000 feet (with LRAD).
The LRAD 1000, LRAD 1000X, and LRAD 1000Xi
The LRAD 1000 may be the most recognizable of the company’s product line after it was featured on the reality TV show Whale Wars. It uses directionality and focused acoustic output for highly intelligible speech transmissions over 9,000 feet; max range of 4,000 feet over 88 dB of background noise.
Through the use of powerful voice commands and deterrent tones, large safety zones can be created while determining the intent and influencing the behavior of an intruder. The LRAD 1000 was selected and is being used by the U.S. Navy as part of its Shipboard Protection System.
The LRAD-RX
The RX model can be operated remotely across an IP network, enabling system operators to respond to potential threats from a safe location while creating a completely unmanned first-responder perimeter security solution.
The RX can project highly intelligible speech transmissions over 9,000 feet; max range of 4,000 feet over 88 dB of background noise.
LRAD 2000X
The superior voice intelligibility and clarity of LRAD 2000X provides a directional audio broadcast that can safely communicate with high intelligibility far beyond standoff distances.
LRAD 2000X operators have the ability to issue clear, authoritative verbal commands, followed by powerful deterrent tones to enhance response capabilities. The extended frequency range of LRAD 2000X ensures voice commands will be clearly understood over distances up to 11,000 feet.
LRAD 360X
The LRAD 360X delivers LRAD’s renowned powerful, highly intelligible voice and warning tone broadcasts with perfect 360° coverage. The LRAD 360X broadcasts uninterrupted audio communications over a 4,000-foot radius.
LRAD 360X emitters can be stacked four high to produce audio up to 143 dB at 3 feet.
LRAD Mobile Mass Notification System
The LRAD Mobile Mass Notification System is an integrated, self-contained, ruggedized trailer. Lockable electronics and equipment enclosures mounted on the trailer contain the 360X amplifier modules and battery pneumatic systems.
The Mobile Speaker Array’s battery bank can be charged using an integral AC-powered battery charger.
LRAD 100X Handheld Acoustic System
The LRAD 100X is a self-contained, handheld, portable loud hailer that significantly outperforms megaphones and portable public address systems. The LRAD 100X overcomes the background noise of vehicles, vessels, sirens, and boisterous crowds to ensure the message is clearly understood.
Highly intelligible speech transmissions over 1,900 feet; max range of 800 feet over 88 dB of background noise.
LRAD 300X / 300X-RA
These are compact, lightweight solution for use on small vessels, CROWs, and armored vehicles. They can be easily transported to provide security personnel long-range communications and a highly effective hailing and warning capability where needed.
Highly intelligible speech transmissions over 3,000 feet; max range of 1,000 feet over 88 dB of background noise.
Recent News
June 1, 2016:
LRAD announces a $714,000 LRAD 1000X systems and accessories follow-on order for a Southeast Asian Navy. This is the latest in a series of orders from defense and maritime security forces equipping their fleets in this region with Long Range Acoustic Devices(R).
“This order reflects LRAD’s increasing inclusion in Asian Pacific and other naval forces around the globe,” remarked Tom Brown, President and Chief Executive Officer of LRAD Corporation. “LRAD systems enhance maritime security protocols, increase vessel safety and ensure clear communications. LRAD’s unmatched performance in both broadcast range and intelligibility provides critical support for naval missions.”
June 2, 2016:
LRAD Corporation (LRAD), the global leader in acoustic hailing devices and advanced mass notification systems, announces it has received orders for LRAD systems and accessories totaling over $607,000 for public safety and corrections facility applications in Asia and Latin America. Scheduled to ship this fiscal year, the orders are primarily comprised of LRAD 100X, LRAD 300X, LRAD 450XL, and LRAD 500X systems.
“Public safety agencies throughout the world are using LRAD systems and support equipment to provide clear communication during everyday duties and escalated situations,” noted Tom Brown, President and Chief Executive Officer of LRAD Corporation. “LRAD’s unique acoustic capabilities are also being increasingly utilized by corrections facilities to improve security, communicate to prisoners, resolve potential conflicts, and secure prison yards and perimeters.”
June 14, 2016:
LRAD, the world’s leading provider of acoustic hailing devices and advanced mass notification systems, announced last month that the LRAD RXL has been recognized as “Best Acoustic Hailing Service” by the Government Security News 2016 Airport, Seaport, Border Security Awards Program. The LRAD DS-60 was named as a finalist in the “Best Mass Notification System” category.
“This is a highly targeted program,” said GSN lead judge Chuck Brooks, “dealing with very serious national and international threats in land, sea and air that are in the news every day. The vendor companies and government agencies working in Airport, Seaport, Rail and Border security and participating in this program are cutting edge leaders.”
“This is the third consecutive year an LRAD AHD has received GSN’s Best Acoustic Hailing Service Award,” commented Tom Brown, President and CEO of LRAD Corporation. “We appreciate GSN recognizing LRAD AHDs and mass notification systems as Best in Class solutions for domestic and international airport, seaport and border security.”
Conclusion
LRAD today addresses one of the fastest-growing markets in the military/law enforcement sectors: nonlethal crowd control technologies.
With its equipment suitable for use on land and sea and ranging in size from man-portable to ship-mounted, LRAD’s devices can be used for everything from public addresses to crowd control/immobilization via concentrated acoustic waves.
LRAD devices have been used successfully in combating pirates off the coast of Africa, dispersing crowds in the U.S., and warding off activist assaults on whaling vessels in the Great Southern Ocean.
The company is award winning and globally recognized for its unique technology, with more clients being added to its roster on a monthly basis.
New orders are piling up this year, and demand continues to rise as more civil unrest and regional conflicts emerge in hot spots around the globe.
Share prices, however, have yet to respond fully to these positive factors and remain almost 10% off 52-week highs.
Recommendation: Buy LRAD Corporation (NASDAQ: LRAD) Under $2.75.