Non-Lethal Laser Exposed at Unexpected Arena

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Submarines are at their most vulnerable when transiting on the surface in busy waterways. As such, force protection is critical in order to shield them from everything from explosive-laden boats to drones. When just a number of seconds can mean the difference between a possible threat and an imminent attack, having a less-than-lethal option for deterring nearby potential threats and repelling actual attacks is highly valuable. 

The U.S. Navy posted an image on Twitter of the USS Minnesota, the 10th Virginia class nuclear fast attack submarine. The image shows one of the submarine’s crewmen holding a laser dazzler.

These light projection devices fire highly powerful and sometimes modulated laser beams with pinpoint precision over long distances. The idea is they will temporarily blind and disorient an attacker, or even the electronic optics being used by a threat. The disorienting nature of the dazzler will buy precious seconds to better assess the situation and apply lethal force, if necessary. 

According to thedrive.com, the weapon seen in this image is the B.E. Meyers Glare LA-9/P. The manufacturer’s website describes the system as such: For long-distance hail and warning, especially during maritime security, the GLARE LA-9/P combines a powerful green beam with Eye Safe technology. The laser rapidly determines if an unintended observer is within the nominal ocular hazard distance (NOHD) and immediately shuts off the glaring output to prevent accidental eye injury. Once the bystander has moved out of the NOHD, the laser output instantly resumes.

Warnings can be sent out to 4 km at night and 1.5 km during daylight. Offensive glaring is achievable out to 500m to hinder and prevent further aggression. In theater, GLARE lasers have been proven to save lives of both civilians and soldiers by providing a rapid warning method across cultural and linguistic boundaries.

The device uses an internal laser range-finder. Thus the maximum eye-safe setting can be used throughout the engagement. This is also important because international law prohibits the employment of any such system that is deliberately designed to cause permanent blindness.