Its kinda bad to blind our own soldiers, with weapons that ain’t being used properly!
There’s a green laser that can’t be looked at if you are closer than ONE MILE AWAY from it.
Unfortunately, its being used to warn drivers to stop at checkpoints.
WIRED Magazine article, nicknamed “Don’t LASE me, Bro”:
The problem is that the GBD-III is not intended to dazzle. The makers say call it “the most powerful military grade visible lasers available” and “used for weapon aiming or marking targets for fire support.”
To date, all solid lasers operate in the 1000-1100-nm wavelength region, which, because the wavelengths are invisible but are transmitted to the retina, leads to a significant operational concern about eye safety in real-world uses. Even minimal reflections from targets or debris can exceed the eye-safety limit.
Since November, 2008, a single unit in Iraq “has experienced 12 green laser incidents involving 14 Soldiers and varying degrees of injury. Three Soldiers required medical evacuation out of Iraq and one Soldier is now blind in one eye,” writes Sgt. Crystal Reidy, from the 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), or ESC.
Captain Russell Harris, a Troop Commander with 3rd ESC reports that his troops have suffered “temporary blindness, headaches and blurred vision,” as a result of laser incidents. Others describe severe, 48-hour migraines after lasing.
New lasers are being ordered, which will be “retina safe” — any eye damage would be confined to the surface of the eyeball which is far less serious and need not result in permanent blinding.
But ravers worldwide know stories of partyers blinded by lasers at raves. Its a known problem. Why are our soldiers given such hugely effective weapons, meant to guide missiles, for use in small areas?
In what may be the BIGGEST UNDERSTATEMENT in the article, WIRED opines:
Air Force personnel have had laser eye protection for some years. It may be time to start issuing it a lot more widely.
Uggh. I can’t stand to see one more young American blinded, or maimed, or killed, by friendly fire… Its so un-American.
wow, the laser beams has made the stage beautiful!