London 2012 security: 'Sonic weapon' to be used

Britain's Defense Ministry says an acoustic device that can be used as a "sonic weapon" will be deployed during the London Olympics.

The ministry says the long-range acoustic device, which can emit an ear-piercing beam of sound, will mostly be used as a high-powered loudspeaker to issue verbal warnings to boats on the River Thames.

The ministry said late Friday the American-made device is among a "broad range of assets" used by the armed forces to provide security during the London Games, which run from July 27 to August 12.

Britain's Press Association reports that the maker of the device, LRAD Corporation, previously sold the device to the U.S. army for crowd control in Iraq.