NationStates Jolt Archive

Seems that the US military has been busy watching too much Star Trek and playing too much Halo. You'll just have to read this (http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn8275) to understand what I mean.

The US government has unveiled a "non-lethal" laser rifle designed to dazzle enemy personnel without causing them permanent harm. But the device will require close scrutiny to ensure compliance with a United Nations protocol on blinding laser weapons.

The Personnel Halting and Stimulation Response (PHASR) rifle was developed at the Air Force Research Laboratory in New Mexico, US, and two prototypes have been delivered to military bases in Texas and Virginia for further testing.

The US Department of Defense (DoD) believes the weapon could be used, for example, to temporarily blind suspects who drive through a roadblock. However, the DoD has yet to reveal details of how the laser works and has yet to respond to New Scientist’s requests for further information.

Laser weapons capable of blinding enemies have been developed in the past but were banned under a 1995 UN convention called the Protocol on Blinding Laser Weapons. The wording of this protocol, however, does not prohibit lasers that temporarily dazzle a foe. (there's more at the actual link)

Looks interesting but in a more "wtf" kind of manner.

Huh...dazzling. (snickers)

Sincerely,


Number III

What's wrong with using a big powerful torch (flashlight I think to you americans)?

Dazzle enemies? What is the weapon's name? "Jubilee"?

Kick...Ass...

Not only to we have Laser Rifles now, we've got PHASRs.

What could be cooler than that!

Kick...Ass...

Not only to we have Laser Rifles now, we've got PHASRs.

What could be cooler than that!
Sharks with frikkin laser beams attached to their heads maybe?

Sharks with frikkin laser beams attached to their heads maybe?

Next thing on DoD's list.

The US Department of Defense (DoD) believes the weapon could be used, for example, to temporarily blind suspects who drive through a roadblock. However, the DoD has yet to reveal details of how the laser works and has yet to respond to New Scientist’s requests for further information.
How is blinding someone sitting behind the wheel of a moving vehicle superior to shooting them? I am mystified by that choice of example.

How is blinding someone sitting behind the wheel of a moving vehicle superior to shooting them? I am mystified by that choice of example.

Um... a blinded person can slam on the breaks better than an injured/dead person...? I don't rightly know.

Kick...Ass...
Not only to we have Laser Rifles now, we've got PHASRs.
What could be cooler than that!
A VSBR: Variable Speed Beam (laser) Rifle. Can set it to either damage mode (slightly "slower" beams) or penetration mode (many small fast-moving beams)

Um... a blinded person can slam on the breaks better than an injured/dead person...? I don't rightly know.
Your ffirst reaction would be to turn away from the blinding light, and since you turn where you look you'd probably start to swerve before you hit the brakes.
There's also the fact that I just don't like seeing the words "blind", "drive" and "road" in the same sentence.

Your ffirst reaction would be to turn away from the blinding light, and since you turn where you look you'd probably start to swerve before you hit the brakes.
There's also the fact that I just don't like seeing the words "blind", "drive" and "road" in the same sentence.

Perfectly reasonable, that. Blinded people should not be I driving.

I was just taking a wild guess, myself. I really have no idea how it would be particularly more effective to blind a driver than shoot them, beyond the fact that the driver wasn't directly injured/killed by the shooter.

just proves the USAF is full of geeks. That's why I fly Navy! HOOYAH!

How is blinding someone sitting behind the wheel of a moving vehicle superior to shooting them? I am mystified by that choice of example.

At least they don't kill them directly. They let them drive off the road to crash, killing themselves...and anyone else who may be in the way at the time. Woot.

I assume we're not discussing TBS song titles?:(

A VSBR: Variable Speed Beam (laser) Rifle. Can set it to either damage mode (slightly "slower" beams) or penetration mode (many small fast-moving beams) Oh… um… where did I see that… *starts rifling through list of games*

wtf is dazzle an enemy.

If I'm the army I want dead enemies, not "dazzled" enemies. That's the stupidest term I've ever heard. I am not impressed at all by this thing and I think it's one of the reasons why schools in America are lagging behind most of the rest of 1st World Countries.

wtf is dazzle an enemy.

If I'm the army I want dead enemies, not "dazzled" enemies. That's the stupidest term I've ever heard. I am not impressed at all by this thing and I think it's one of the reasons why schools in America are lagging behind most of the rest of 1st World Countries.

When I hear the word "dazzle", I think of sequins and glitter. So...what? Do they frighten them with flamboyancy or make them flamboyent themselves? Either way... not the greatest of tactics, fellas.

When I hear the word "dazzle", I think of sequins and glitter. So...what? Do they frighten them with flamboyancy or make them flamboyent themselves? Either way... not the greatest of tactics, fellas.

exactly, if I'm a terrorist, I am not scared at all. I'm laughing my ass off.

exactly, if I'm a terrorist, I am not scared at all. I'm laughing my ass off.

Well, if you're a terrorist bomber or something of that nature, I'm sure that getting hit with a lazer that transforms your clothes into sequins and a tutu will halter your progress for a few moments, don't you think?

I'm sure this is what the military had in mind. Why shoot your foes when you can "dazzle" them into submission?

Well, if you're a terrorist bomber or something of that nature, I'm sure that getting hit with a lazer that transforms your clothes into sequins and a tutu will halter your progress for a few moments, don't you think?

I'm sure this is what the military had in mind. Why shoot your foes when you can "dazzle" them into submission?

Yeah, its hard to hide explosives in that.