Non-lethal Laser Weapon Is the newest Defense Against Pirates [Pirates]

Pirates! They’re everywhere, huh? On the high seas, inside the theaters, on the net. The ocean-dwelling ones better pay attention though, pun totally intended, because a new non-lethal laser weapon aims to blind them into thinking twice about that booty.

The new weapon is incredibly much what it feels like: An adjustable, low intensity laser that-at a distance of about 1,500 meters-will make it seem as though the target is calling directly into the Sun. Only a short, accidental look at it, though, as looking into the Sun is really quite dangerous!

And should the pirates attempt to defend against the laser with, say, a pair of Oakleys, they’ll still be blinded:

” Sunglasses wouldn’t help,” [said BAE Systems rep Bryan Hore, whose firm invented the laser weapon, in an interview with New Scientist ] … In point of fact, wearing them would only exacerbate the effect. That’s because the glasses does not affect the golf green laser light – chosen because that colour is very irritating – but the laser would appear even brighter contrasted against the darkened background.

Better still, the laser beam is an entire meter wide, meaning it could actually target entire pirate crews as they scream toward cargo ships in their tiny, well-armed dinghies. Even at greater distances the laser will serve as a warning beacon for pirates, permitting them to know what awaits them on that individual ship should they decide to tread closer. [ New Scientist ]

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This post is tagged: green laser, laser light, laser weapon, looking into the sun, new scientist, ocean dwelling