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Charlie Stross

@mmby @graydon @isaackuo Just noting that laser dazzlers approximate to a [human] laser blinding weapon, and we can't regrow retinas. Just the reflected side-scatter from any plausible laser gun is liable to fry eyeballs out to several dozen kilometres.

15 August at 11:00 | Open on wandering.shop
2 comments
mmby

@cstross @graydon @isaackuo they're already in the field though, since the convention on banning human-blinding weapons made exceptions for using them on vehicles and any sort of optical devices they might have

even the crews are considered in unit with the vehicle and not people for purposes of the convention as long as they're operating the vehicle

drones appearing will make more dazzlers appear - and I feel that sadly where there's opportunity, there is crime...

15 August at 11:41 | Open on mastodon.social
Isaac Ji Kuo

@mmby @cstross @graydon

Desperation to survive may be the overriding consideration. As noted, they're already in the field.

Shtora-1 attempts to use dazzlers to disrupt anti-tank missile guidance. This system has not been very effective in Ukraine, but that has more to do with the nature of the weapons being used and Ukrainian familiarity with how to try and mitigate laser warning sensors.

In principle, the system could be modified to try and dazzle drones.

15 August at 12:48 | Open on spacey.space
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