Anti-pirate laser designed to hide ships in sun-like glare

A BRITISH defence company, BAE Systems, has developed a non-lethal laser system to blind pirates by creating a green shield at distances up to two kilometres to disorientate and temporarily blind attackers during day and night.

The United Nations hopes the system will act as an effective cloak of cover to visually ward-off pirates who thicken up in the Gulf of Aden without causing damage to the eyes.

"The effect is similar to when a fighter pilot attacks from the direction of the sun," said Roy Evans, BAE Systems in a report from San Diego's Supply Chain Digital. "The glare from the laser is intense enough to make it impossible to aim weapons like AK47s or RPGs, but doesn't have a permanent effect."

Further safety tests are required and research into setting up with ship's existing radar and sensor systems to allow for control of direction, intensity and security features to prevent pirates taking over the defence system.
(Source:www.schednet.com)