A proactive response to the alarming surge in laser pointer incidents targeting aircraft, the U.S. Air Force is set to equip airmen worldwide with specialized eyewear designed to shield their eyes from both lasers and ballistic threats.
Surge in Laser Pointer Incidents Prompts Air Force to Mandate Protective Eyewear (Photo: The Times)
Flash Blindness and the Need for Comprehensive Defense
According to the recent development published by AirForce Times, in November 22, 2023, this marks a significant development, as it is the first time Air Force-issued eyewear is tailored to counter both forms of laser pointer incidents and potential harm. With recent increases in laser pointer incidents posing significant risks to pilots and aircrew, the new gear is not only a protective measure but a strategic move to ensure the safety and career longevity of those on the front lines of aviation.
Laser pointer incidents pose a dual threat, affecting both the safety of pilots and the integrity of aircraft. When a laser beam strikes an aircraft’s windshield or the eyes of a crew member, it can induce flash blindness, a perilous condition, particularly during takeoff or landing. To mitigate these disruptions that could prove fatal in critical moments, the U.S. Air Force Safety Center has introduced a suite of eight specialized eyewear types.
These include daytime and nighttime anti-laser spectacles, anti-ballistics glasses, and visors compatible with night-vision goggles. This comprehensive defense strategy from laser pointer incidents aims to safeguard all aircrews except those in specialized aircraft like the U-2 Dragon Lady spy plane and the F-35A Lightning II fighter.
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Global Response to Laser Threats: Distribution, Challenges, and Federal Actions
In a report released by Yahoo News, as part of its commitment to the safety of aircrews, the U.S. Air Force plans to distribute over 42,000 pairs of these advanced glasses and visors to its units over the next three years. The urgency for such measures in preventing laser pointer incidents is underscored by incidents reported at installations worldwide, including Italy’s Aviano Air Base, which experienced 13 lasing incidents against its aircraft in the past year alone.
This laser pointer incidents surge is part of a larger trend, with the Federal Aviation Administration recording over 10,300 laser incidents and 28 injuries in 2023, surpassing the previous year’s figures. To address these criminal actions, federal authorities are collaborating to notify law enforcement about perpetrators’ locations, emphasizing the seriousness of aiming a laser pointer incidents at an aircraft as a federal crime carrying severe penalties.
The Air Force Office of Special Investigations encourages individuals with knowledge of such laser pointer incidents to report them promptly to the FAA or the Air Force, stressing that these are not harmless pranks but actions with potentially grave consequences.
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