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| Iraq | |
| Laser 'optical incapacitator' issued in Iraq | |
| 2006-06-02 | |
| The U.S. military has given troops in Iraq a laser device to temporarily blind drivers who ignore warnings at vehicle checkpoints, the Pentagon said on Thursday. Army Lt. Col. Barry Venable, a Pentagon spokesman, defended its use as legal and said the devices were intended to prevent civilians from being shot. "There have been numerous incidents that tragically have resulted in civilian deaths" in which drivers approaching U.S. military checkpoints have failed to heed warnings from troops, who in some cases have opened fire, he said. The U.S. military is fitting some M-4 rifles used by U.S. forces in Iraq with a tube-shaped device that is about 10 1/2 inches (27 cm) long that shines a laser beam. Venable stressed that the devices do not cause permanent blindness. "They don't blind people. It's like shining a big light in your eyes," Venable said. "I think the term is optical incapacitation -- dazzlers as opposed to something that will blind you."
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| Posted by:Fred |
| #7 Yeah, one grunt has the laser dazzler, and two other grunts have their fingers on the triggers of twin Ma Deuces. No problem. |
| Posted by: Parabellum 2006-06-02 18:59 |
| #6 THese are really effective and coupled with a remote weapon platform the personnel manning the checkpoint can be out of danger. It is a means to determine intent. If they keep coming after the laser hits them, then they or their vehicle should be disabled. |
| Posted by: remoteman 2006-06-02 13:36 |
| #5 Yes, even with innocent casualties in mind, I'd say than form an US grunt pov, a .50/12,7mm HMG does and still would make much more sense. Of course, it's less PC. |
| Posted by: anonymous5089 2006-06-02 08:25 |
| #4 Who wants to be the poor sap who has to stand directly in front of an onrushing vehicle and calmy shoot this thing in the eyes of the driver? What happens to the speeding vehicle now that the driver is temporarily blinded? |
| Posted by: DanNY 2006-06-02 08:22 |
| #3 Does it have to be aimed straight at the eyes to be effective? Or can it be beamed at a larger area? If the former, it will be difficult to use in a stress situation and less than ideal conditions (movement, dust, dirty windshield). |
| Posted by: anonymous5089 2006-06-02 07:13 |
| #2 Does it have a "stun" setting? ;-) |
| Posted by: twobyfour 2006-06-02 00:42 |
| #1 Brings new meaning to "deer in the headlights". |
| Posted by: Sniting Chereck4226 2006-06-02 00:16 |