A CAMPAIGN has been launched to tackle the growing problem of lasers being maliciously directed at planes and helicopters.
Follows a spate of incidents in South Wales, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is urging anyone who sees a light being directed at an aircraft to contact police immediately.
via WalesOnline
Laser targeting aircraft and helicopters has become a serious issue in last few years. Now polices in UK start equipping hand-held Laser Event Recorders (LER) to locate attackers.
Officers are now using hand-held Laser Event Recorders (LER) to gather evidence when they are “attacked” from the ground. The LER is held up to the helicopter’s window when the laser is first spotted.
The device, first adopted by the US Air Force, is a sophisticated digital camera which can detect laser radiation and take a picture of the attack.
It can also warn the police if the laser is powerful enough or close enough to cause physical damage to the eyes. There is a GPS receiver to record the location of the helicopter when attacked.
watch the video report:
…… Mr. Gates said he would cut from programs for defense against missiles, including halting the increase in the numbers of defensive missiles deployed in Alaska. Defense experts were also expecting that Boeing’s airborne laser system, which would equip a modified 747 jetliner with a laser to shoot down missiles, might be killed…….
via Gates Budget Plan Reshapes Pentagon’s Priorities – NYTimes.com.
American troops in Iraq are reporting a series of incidents in which servicemembers have been blinded or required medical treatment after friendly-fire laser injuries.
via Stars and Stripes.
