A brief snippet about a non-lethal weapon the USMC is testing:

http://www.marinetimes.com/stories/mar_story_229238.html

I think there are a lot these kinds of projects going on.  The end result will likely be bad for freedom loving people around the globe.  Now, force can be used in a way that is deniable and untraceable.  It all sounds great--dispersing riots using this technology, etc.  Unfortunately, it will be used to oppress as well.  You will know when these devices have really arrived and are in use--legislators will introduce bills banning civilians from owning/using them.  

The future is not in metallic cased, directed explosive, projectile technology.

That's nothing new, beam directed beam microwave transmitters have been around for a long time, and they can do the same thing.
Just within 20 feet of a "clothsline" type HF antenna when it is transmitting on a military aircraft can burn you pretty good.
Some of those "pencil beam" sat-com antennas can do damage at 50 feet.
It wouldn't be too hard to modify and boost say a standard microwave oven's transmitter to accomplish the same thing.
I can see it now, pre and post ban microwave ovens.......