Posted on 01/10/2011 1:24:50 PM PST by decimon
Sailors may soon have a weapon in their battle against sea-borne raiders: an anti-pirate laser.
BAE Systems has demonstrated its new laser system, which can temporarily blind would-be attackers.
The system would prevent pirates from being able to aim their weapons at targets, BAE claims.
But further safety testing is needed before such a system could be commercially deployed.
BAE said it has developed a low-cost laser distraction system that can travel through the sea air while being housed onboard a moving ship.
At distances of more than of between 1.2km (0.75 miles) and 1.5km (0.85 miles), the laser beam acts as a warning signal, letting the pirates know they've been spotted, said Brian Hore of BAE.
"Today's pirates tend to be opportunistic. If they know they've been spotted, they're likely to look for an alternative target," he told BBC News.
>
Green lasers - which have been shown to interfere with eyesight - have been used by the US military in Iraq and to temporarily blind targets.
>
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...
This...is...awesome!
Cool. Yes. Awesome, not quite. Awesome would be a laser that vaporizes pirates.
“BAE Systems has demonstrated its new laser system, which can temporarily blind would-be attackers. The system would prevent pirates from being able to aim their weapons at targets, BAE claims. But further safety testing is needed before such a system could be commercially deployed.”
Safety testing? Seriously? We’re worried about hurting pirates? I can’t believe how far the west has fallen.
We are the wussies on the High Seas.
We use high tech lasers which may temporarily blind pirates; while they use AK-47’s which ‘temporarily’ kill us. Those pirates that are ‘warned’ turn their anger and fully automatic weapons upon defenseless ships.
Yup, we are a Super Power of wimps, fags, wussies and Libtards. We don’t even have the b*lls to scratch their eyes out.
Any laser these scum see should soon be met with live ammo.
Yeah, lets don’t do anything that might harm them permanently. Geez, evil really is ruling the day.
Why not just get a 20-mm cannon and blast them all to hell?
“This...is...awesome!”
Almost. Te word temporary ruins it: “BAE Systems has demonstrated its new laser system, which can temporarily blind would-be attackers.”
Hand held green lasers is an idea, until someone sells the pirates laser protective sunglasses.
Why are we wasting our time and money on these things? Blow the hell out of them and we won’t have to worry about repeat offenders!
LOL! I was going to have to post that if you didn’t.
Feh...Just re-issue the original laser range finders the Corps used; problem solved; permanently.
I bet that, even now, the pirates are “lawyering up” to prevent deployment of the “cruel,” “inhuman,” “blinding” laser.
And, I bet their lawyers win...
Lase-ARRRRRRRR! ping.
An 18th Century broadside would be a lot cheaper.
That is an intelligent question, to which I have an answer.
Due to outdated maritime laws, commercial vessels are not allowed to dock at several ports - with weapons onboard. This is to prevent a commercial vessel from leading an attack or invasion upon a port city. As I indicated - this is an out-dated law.
What I do NOT understand is why some enterprising person doesn't RENT armament to these ships. Meet them in international waters, bring on some trained Mercs with RPG's, fully automatic weapons, laser guided missels, Gernades and a very foul attitude and blow said pirates 'to hell'. Then, while the ship is at the 12 mile mark, disembard with all weapons and personnel, awaiting their next assignment.
Seems like a very lucrative business to me. I think we'd have little problem finding volunteers to hunt/kill pirates; and even less problem getting armament for these people to use.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.