NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Laser dazzler

Dazzler is a type of a directed-energy weapon employing intense visible light, usually generated by a laser (laser dazzler). It is a non-lethal weapon intended to cause temporary blindness. A directed-energy weapon is a type of energy weapon that directs energy in a particular direction by a means other than a projectile. ... The range of sizes in which lasers exist is immense, extending from microscopic diode lasers (top) to football field sized neodymium glass lasers (bottom) used for inertial confinement fusion. ... Non-lethal force is force which is not inherently likely to kill or cause great bodily injury to a living target. ... The bayonet, still used in war as both knife and spearpoint. ... See also Blindness (novel) Blindness can be defined physiologically as the condition of lacking visual perception. ...

Blinding weapons are banned by 1995 United Nations Protocol on Blinding Laser Weapons. Dazzlers are not intended to cause permanent blindness, therefore are thought to be able to skirt this regulation. This law-related article does not cite its references or sources. ...

Narrowband optical filters tuned to the frequency of the laser used may provide a good defense against laser dazzlers. On the other hand, the dazzlers may employ lasers using more than one wavelength, or tunable lasers with wider range of output. Photochromic materials able of becoming opaque under high light energy densities may provide protection as well. An optical filter is a device which selectively transmits light having certain properties (often, a particular range of wavelengths, i. ... The wavelength is the distance between repeating units of a wave pattern. ... Tunable laser Tunable lasers are used in DWDM-systems to allow wavelength (frequency) changes triggered by the operator. ... Reversible photochromics (PCs) work by changing their chemical structure after absorbing UV light, usually from the sun or a UV light. ...

LE Systems, under the sponsorship of DARPA, developed a dazzler based on a DPSS laser, with green light output at 532 nm, essentially a souped up version of the green laser pointers. The advantage of 532 nm wavelength lies in its ability to interact with human eye in both daylight and reduced light conditions. [1] The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is an agency of the United States Department of Defense responsible for the development of new technology for use by the military. ... Diode Pumped Solid State (DPSS) lasers are lasers made by pumping a crystal, for example, a ruby or a neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) crystal with a laser diode, usually one that emits infrared light. ... A keychain laser pointer. ...

SaberShot developed essentially the same system and delivers it in form factors ranging from a pen type with effective range of 200 meters, through a flashlight type effective at 500 meters, to rifle-size units effective up to 2 kilometers. [2]

The Saber 203 dazzler, or "Saber 203 Grenade Shell Laser Intruder Countermeasure System", uses a 28 mW red laser diode, mounted in a hard plastic capsule in the shape of a standard 40 mm grenade, suitable to being loaded into a M203 grenade launcher. It has an effective range of 300 meters. It is controlled via a box snapped under the launcher, and in emergency it can be quickly ejected and replaced with a grenade. Saber 203 dazzlers were used in Somalia in 1995 during the Operation United Shield. According to the Air Force, the system is also usable for law enforcement purposes. A packaged laser diode with penny for scale. ... The 40mm grenade is the calibre used by the US military for their M79, Colt XM148 and M203 grenade launchers. ... M203 generally refers to the U.S. Militarys designation for a single shot 40 mm grenade launcher that attaches to the M16 assault rifle or the M4 Carbine. ... A grenade launcher is weapon that fires or launches a grenade to longer distances than a soldier could throw by hand. ... Operation United Shield was the name given to the US military operation of evacuating all remaining 6,200 UN peacekeeping troops from Somalia from January to March of 1995, the troops were made up of Americans, Pakistanis and Egyptians. ... For the band, see The Police. ...

Laser dazzler is also mounted on the Chinese Type 98 Main battle tank. It is coupled with a laser radiation detector, and automatically aims for the enemy's illuminating laser designator, attempting to overwhelm its optical systems or blind the operator. [3] The Chinese Type 98 Main Battle Tank The Type 99, formerly known as Type 98 and Type 98G, is the latest main battle tank fielded by the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army. ... The US M1A1 Abrams tank is a typical modern main battle tank. ... A laser designator is a laser light source which illuminates a target. ...

ZM-87 Portable Laser Disturber is a Chinese electro-optic countermeasure laser device. It is a tripod-mounted system weighing 33 kilograms, intended to blind the enemy troops and disable their optical systems.

Outfit DEC, or also Laser Dazzle Sight (LDS) is a British ship-based laser, used since 1980s.

There are more such laser weapon systems in development. [4]