A post from wired.com shows 10 weapons that can be seen as futuristic. Right now.

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2010/01/sci-fi-weapons/all/1

1. XM-25 grenade launcher

2. Maars system ~ Some remotely operated turret

3. Active Denial System ~ Causes a burning sensation on your skin to prevent overcrowding of many soldiers.

4. Long Range Acoustic Device ~ Sound that can be heard 300 metres away clearly to send warning messages

5. MQ-1 Predator ~ Aircraft with plenty of dangerous ammunition :http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2009/10/up-to-320-civilians-killed-in-pakistan-drone-war-report/

6. Improved Flash bang grenade ~ Bright flash of light without the dangerous shockwave

7. Tazer Shockwave barrier ~ Blocks out even the angriest mobs

8. Nauseating Lightshow device ~ Makes you seasick

9. LA-9/P ~ A warning device that can fire over 4 kilometres away

10. Laser Avenger ~ Can take down the most dangerous aircraft even drones.

None of them are, or really should be, a surprise though.

All of them are pretty cool but when I initially saw this a couple days ago I was expecting the list to be more "Sci-Fi"'ish and less "James Bond"'ish.

I worked on #3. I was there the first time a human test subject was hit with ADS. Coolest thing I have ever seen.

Sci-Fi and Actually Exist seem like a bit of an oxymoron.

I think that there is a device invented, not sure if actually used, that aims some kind of soundwave at you, to cause gastric distress, hopefully give diahhreah

cool!

Ouch, bet he regretted that?!

If they could make the laser avenger as powerful as they say and give it a gattling-feature it could be awesome in the front-lines. constantly blasting the roads to destroy IED's and perhaps frying terrorists in the streets.

Kinda makes you wonder what warfare will look like 100 years from now.

Cracked had an article up a few days ago about how the 1900's would expect the year 2000 to look like. "warfare" was done on motorcycles/chariots with a high-calibre machine gun in front. This was of course the time before men flew...
Can you imagine what they'd say if you showed them how a predator worked.

Also, I'm guessing that if they ever get a functional ADS it'd be a hit in Europe aswell. Battling hooligans with a watercannon is not all that effective.

Isn't number 3 just an overly enhanced version of KY sensations gel?

Personally, I love everything about technology + weapons... specially pain-giving devices, or "non-lethal weapons" as you call them. Humans can't deny their wild nature, so they will fight, always. So, let's use that for something more productive, as warfare is the home of most technological advancements that populate our daily lives.

For college I designed a concept gauss cannon that shot magnetized steam at (obviously) very high temperatures and pressure... you know, for riots and such. Who's afraid of a puny water gun anyway? Probably just hippies... Getting 2nd degree burns is way more frightening I think... Too bad my teacher didn't believe me that gauss cannons actually exist, poor old 32 years old hag.