Genasys LRAD – When The Message Really Matters Long-Range Acoustic Devices Can Project Vital Information Over Long Distances In Public Safety And Industrial Applications.
Genasys LRAD – When The Message Really Matters – Long Range Acoustic Devices are highly directional acoustic communication systems designed to project clear, intelligible voice messages over long distances. Unlike conventional loudspeakers, which disperse sound broadly, LRAD uses focused acoustic technology to deliver controlled audio within a narrow beam, allowing messages to be understood even in noisy, crowded or open environments.
LRAD was originally developed for maritime security but is now used across public safety, critical infrastructure and emergency management applications to communicate instructions, manage incidents and support coordinated response over distances ranging from hundreds of metres to several kilometres.
According to Graham Clark, NSW state manager at BGW Technologies, when something unexpected happens, people need information they can hear and understand. That’s not always easy when there’s a lot of background noise, large crowds, bad weather, or people spread across a wide area.
“That’s where the Long-Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) from Genasys comes in. Innovated by Genasys in response to a terrorist attack on the naval ship USS Cole in 2000, LRADs are designed to communicate, resolve uncertain situations, minimise the use of force, and save lives.”
“When people first see an LRAD system, they often assume it’s simply a very powerful loudspeaker, but that’s only part of the story,” Clark says. “The real difference isn’t just volume but intelligibility. In emergency situations, people need to understand the message, not just hear that a message is being broadcast.”
“Unlike conventional public address systems that disperse sound in every direction, LRAD uses proprietary driver and waveguide technology to focus audio into a controlled 30-degree beam. That concentrated sound projection allows voice messages to travel distances ranging from 600m up to 5km, while remaining clear and understandable.”
“The technology is also engineered around the frequencies most important for human speech. Rather than simply producing more sound,” he says.
“LRAD is optimised within the primary hearing range where spoken words are most easily understood. That’s particularly important during emergencies. People don’t need more noise—they need information they can understand quickly and act upon.“
According to Clark, this combination of range and clarity has led to LRAD being deployed across public safety, maritime, emergency management and critical infrastructure applications in more than 100 countries.
“For maritime operators, LRAD provides the ability to communicate with vessels long before they reach restricted or hazardous areas,” he says. “For critical infrastructure operators, it can add a communication layer to existing security systems.
“Some LRAD platforms can even integrate with surveillance cameras, radar and motion sensors, allowing operators to remotely identify a situation and immediately communicate with people on the ground.”
“One of the things our customers value most is versatility,” says Clark. “The same technology can be deployed on a patrol vehicle, a vessel, a fixed facility, or even an aircraft, depending on the objective.
“When thinking about security and safety operations time is critical and that’s when clear communication can help reduce confusion, improve decision-making, and support safer outcomes. That’s what LRAD was built to do.”
You can learn more about Genasys LRAD from your local BGW Technologies branch here or read more SEN news here.
“Genasys LRAD – When The Message Really Matters Long Range Acoustic Devices Can Project Vital Information Over Long Distances In Public Safety And Industrial Applications.”
