US Air Force unveils hand-held laser gun

Janes ^ | 11/25/05 | Michael Sirak

[kiriath_jearim]

US Air Force unveils hand-held laser gun

By Michael Sirak JDW Staff Reporter Washington, DC

The US Air Force has unveiled its first hand-held laser weapon that gives security forces a non-lethal option for controlling crowds and protecting areas like checkpoints, according to service officials.

While only in prototype form and years away from fielding, the weapon, known as the Personnel Halting and Stimulation Response (PHaSR) system, holds great promise, they said.

The PHaSR is about the same size and weight of a fully loaded M60 machine gun - around 9 kg - but shoots a low-power beam of laser light instead of bullets. The light it generates is capable of temporarily impairing an individual's vision, much like the disorienting glare one sees when looking into the sun, said the officials.

Upon completion of testing, one prototype will be handed over to the Department of Defense's Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Directorate (JNLWD) and the second to the National Institute of Justice (NIJ): the law enforcement arm of the US Department of Justice. Both organisations support the programme, with the latter interested in its civil applications.

[martin_fierro]

SET PHASERS ON STUNE!

[misterrob]

[manwiththehands]

We spend millions developing this, and our enemies simply buy laser safe RayBans.

[manwiththehands]

And jamb their beebers!

[righttackle44]

"Da-DA-dadada-DAA-DAAAAA-Da-da-DAAA-DAA-da-da-da-DAAA!"

[Danae]

"All are welcome, all are welcome. Cross over children. There is peace and serenity in the light."

[wildbill]

What is the Air Force doing developing a hand weapon?

I read all the time where the Army is developing a laser gun. Are all the different branches doing their own thing?

Does this look like a probable waste of money? Should we have one central R&D department in the Pentagon to keep from duplicating efforts.

[SouthTexas]

Set phasers to "stun"?

[varon]

.........known as the Personnel Halting and Stimulation Response (PHaSR) system, holds great promise, they said. (My emphasis)

When I saw the stimulation response capability, I figured that it could tremendous civilian application possibilities until I noticed the 9kg weight ;-)

[i_dont_chat]

Set lasers to "fry."

[dc-zoo]

That phaser looks like a modified solder gun.

[SouthTexas]

Much more applicable!

[DainBramage]

ALL YOUR WOMEN BELONG TO US!!

[ChadGore]

[babygene]

I think this is a stupid idea, since for about 100 bucks the other side can develop their OWN device that WILL do permanent eye damage.

[Washi]

The size and weight of a loaded M60?!?!?

I think this would work just as well.

[Tribune7]

known as the Personnel Halting and Stimulation Response (PHaSR) system,

I guess Star Trek geeks have taken control of Air Force nomenclature

[Sam Cree]

#

[Rakkasan1]

just what I was thinking. I wonder what Congresscritter lobbied for this to be made in his district. POS crap wasteful spending.