A dazzler is a non-lethal weapon which uses intense directed radiation to temporarily disable its target with flash blindness. Targets can include sensors or human vision. Initially developed for military use, non-military products are becoming available for use in law enforcement and security.
Marine requirements wanted a system to operate up to 500 meters. Company spokeswoman Grace Strong said in an email that the gear, “provides immediate and recognizable visual warning quite a bit farther than the stated 500 meters. It is, in actuality, effective to (more than) 25 kilometers.”
Marines expect 144 units to be delivered in the coming months and 1,848 units fielded by early 2019.[contact-form][contact-field label=”Name” type=”name” required=”true” /][contact-field label=”Email” type=”email” required=”true” /][contact-field label=”Website” type=”url” /][contact-field label=”Message” type=”textarea” /][/contact-form]
The LA-22/U is an internally funded and developed 250mW maximum output green laser dazzler. In February of 2016, it was selected by the Marine Corps Systems Command (MARCORSYSCOM) to replace the GLARE MOUT 532P-M or “MiniGreen”, and GBDIIIC W/SCM (LA-9/P), and provide an advanced non-lethal Escalation of Force solution for Hail and Warning combat applications on land and sea. The LA-22/U is currently in production and being delivered by B.E. Meyers and Co., the sole source provider to the US Marines.
Fitted with B.E. Meyers’ groundbreaking and patented SmartRange™ technology, the GLARE RECOIL™ integrates laser range finding, near-field detection, and a 3-axis gyroscope into the unit’s safety controls. This technology allows it to detect objects/persons entering the proximity of the beam, and self-regulates the power output to maintain controlled EyeSafe™ Class 2M irradiance while ensuring maximum permissible exposure on target.
There are many weapons (by many nations) for temporarily blinding opponents. Flash-bang devices are commonly seen in TV shows and are used in real life.
Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology.
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Doesn’t that fall into the unnecessary suffering clause of the Geneva convention?
At a quarter watt holding some kind of spot at 25 km, it sounds retina damaging, even though they say it has controls to keep it EyeSafe (whatever that means)… They say it’s green but I thought GI Joe had blue lasers and Cobra command had red. It would make sense if China had red lasers
Marines, such a great people!
Always working for the benefit of others
I never met one that was exactly right in the head. Maybe you’ll get to meet one someday, Joe. Fine people.
Locate close with and destroy the enemy by fire and maneuver or repel the enemies assault by fire and close combat. Rah. That is a job.