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Iraq
Marines in Iraq Issued Laser Weapons
2008-09-23
They're blinding them with science.

U.S. Marines fighting in Iraq have been issued low-power laser weapons designed to temporarily blind enemy forces, the Washington Post reported Monday. "Dazzlers," as they're called, shoot green beams designed to "warn or temporarily incapacitate individuals," according to a Defense Science Board report extensively quoted in the Post's story.

The Geneva Conventions ban weapons meant to cause permanent blindness, but a Pentagon spokesman explained two years ago that "Dazzlers" didn't fall into that category. "They don't blind people," Army Lt. Col. Barry Venable told reporters. "It's like shining a big light in your eyes."

The Senate added more money for laser weapons to this year's defense authorization bill, approved last week, the Post reports. High-powered ray guns, such as the one Boeing is currently testing to blast missiles out of the sky, were included in the increase.
Posted by:GolfBravoUSMC

#17  ROLF!
Posted by: Red Dawg   2008-09-23 19:26  

#16  Wouldn't an eyepatch at least protect one eye if these were suspected on the battlefield?

Sounds like the dazzle/temporary feature is the key. Anyone using versions with permanent effects is just opening the door to all sorts of unanticipated ugliness - not a good move.
Posted by: Halliburton - Asymmetrical Reply Division   2008-09-23 19:17  

#15  Red Dawg: not really. The major powers have lots of weapons they don't talk about and don't use, because they are not particularly hard to fabricate and could be very ugly if used by tin pot dictators or terrorists.

Do you think for a moment that Chavez would hesitate to use lasers to blind? Kim Jong Il? So the major powers are careful not to let such kooks get their hands on such toys or even mention them to them. Sure, they are open source, but they avoid talking about them.

Among the major powers it is also understood that while Geneva may be ineffective at banning them, their use will be regarded as an escalation, which could get ugly in a hurry. If one of our combat battalions suddenly goes blind after the fly by of a Russian aircraft, half the Russian navy might suddenly develop large, acute leaks in their hulls.
Posted by: Anonymoose   2008-09-23 17:33  

#14  Just don't cross the streams. And #3 when they do they'll snap, crackle, and pop!
Posted by: AlmostAnonymous5839   2008-09-23 16:18  

#13  Do they have a stun and vaporise like a Phasor on Star Trek. That would be usuful. "Halt! - oops wrong setting"
Posted by: Chief   2008-09-23 15:51  

#12  A weapon too dreadful to use, or even talk about.

LMAO!

It's called WAY OVER THE TOP Mooses.

:)
Posted by: Red Dawg   2008-09-23 15:49  

#11  Why is this news? They outfitted the sharks with lazers years ago ...
Posted by: Adriane   2008-09-23 14:52  

#10  Think about this:

The Geneva Convention bans weapons mean't to cause permanent blindness but allows weapons that can kill, or maim (VEID's, IED's) or cause massive casualties such as bombs.
Posted by: Jack is Back!   2008-09-23 14:29  

#9  This laser dazzler is eye-safe. It does not permanently blind anyone. It has been vetted and approved.

The advantage of the green dazzler is that it is very visible evenduring daylight. Again, it is an excellent warning device that is not likely to be discontinued.
Posted by: remoteman   2008-09-23 14:25  

#8  For an innocent a dazzle or temporary blindness is much better than a 50 cal through the windshield. I will admit the PR and anti-war types will probably go nuts. The lawyers have probably already vetted this or it would not have been fielded.
Posted by: tipover   2008-09-23 14:00  

#7  "A weapon too dreadful to use, or even talk about."

You mean like an IED or an EFP?
Posted by: MarkZ   2008-09-23 13:58  

#6  This will be quickly discontinued, because it creates a bad precedent. Some years ago, a proposed aircraft device that scanned like the electron beam in a TV tube was quietly banned internationally, because anyone who looked at the aircraft would be instantly, and permanently blinded.

A weapon too dreadful to use, or even talk about.
Posted by: Anonymoose   2008-09-23 13:42  

#5  Gromky, thick clothing does nothing to stop the active denial system. You'll still be jumpin, only sweating more.
Posted by: remoteman   2008-09-23 13:42  

#4  This adds a new dimension to land warfare. Polarized goggles now necessary to function on the modern battlefield. You need earplugs to block the screamer devices, and thick clothing to block the microwave heat devices. The combat exoskeleton seems to be evolving naturally.
Posted by: gromky   2008-09-23 13:31  

#3  When Al Q gets them I suppose their dazzlers with shoot red beams.

Also I wonder if they will buzz.
Posted by: mhw   2008-09-23 13:05  

#2  "Hey, these aren't the 1-megawatt pulse laser rifles we were promised!"
Posted by: mojo   2008-09-23 12:55  

#1  These things work very well. They are an excellent non-lethal device and the only one that has significant range (other than the very expensive Active Denial System and the dazzler has much greater range). These will actually save lives and seperate those whose intent is to do harm (GWB: evildoers) from the innocents.
Posted by: remoteman   2008-09-23 12:46  

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