

As we have seen, burning someone to a crisp with a laser takes a tremendous amount of energy. Blinding them is much easier. U.S. Special Operations Command's new Advanced Tactical Laser is approximately one hundred thousand times more powerful than a so-called "Class IV" laser, which can cause permanent eye damage.

Since 1995, there has been a prohibition on the military use of blinding lasers. However, this only applies to lasers which are "specifically designed, as their sole combat function or as one of their combat functions, to cause permanent blindness to unenhanced vision" . The ATL, which was designed for a variety of targets, is not a blinding laser by this definition. So it likely lies outside the letter, if not the spirit of the law.

The easiest way of stopping a moving vehicle with the Advanced Tactical Laser would be to blind the driver; this could be accomplished in an instant, far quicker than melting the tires, or any other method. Whether such a use would be sanctioned is another matter, but engaging someone with such a laser would in any case carry a high risk of blinding them.

Any high-energy laser carries a significant risk of eye damage to other people in the area. Any stray reflection off metal or glass could blind someone at a considerable distance. Even the reflection of the laser off steam or smoke may be dangerous.

This item appears in the latest budget for the Air Force's "Bioeffects And Protection" research:

Integrate dynamic bi-directional reflectivity distribution mathematical models into diagnostic tools of laser eye damage for collateral hazard assessments of typical laser systems.

Expand laser damage threshold database for multiple wavelengths to validate DoD, national, and international safety standards. Evaluate impact of visible lasers upon critical aircrew and ground force missions. [My emphasis]

The Airborne Laser is tasked with shooting down ballistic missiles which will be safely away from anyone. The Advanced Tactical Laser –

and other new lasers under development – are likely to be used in close proximity to civilians and friendly troops. Minimizing the hazard to eyeballs may prove to be a serious challenge to deploying such lasers.

There is also the question of what happens when such lasers become more widely available. Since 1995, there has been no sign of blinding lasers proliferating (the Chinese ZM-87 does not seem to have spread). But tactical lasers which "incidentally" blind might be another matter.

[Photo: Walsh Computer Technology]

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