WAR: U.S. Warns Of Terrorist Laser Threat, page 1

posted on Dec, 10 2004 @ 05:56 AM

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A Homeland Security and FBI memo has indicated that there is evidence that terrorist may attempt to bring down an airliner by shining lasers into the cockpit. The effect the memo warns would be to blind the pilots. This warning comes in the face of increasing reports of such incidents. Recently a Delta pilot on approach to Salt Lake City reported an eye injury, but the plane landed safely.

www.cnn.com
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Terrorists may seek to down aircraft by shining powerful lasers into cockpits to blind pilots during landing approaches, U.S. officials warned in a bulletin distributed nationwide.

The memo, sent by the FBI and the Homeland Security Department, says there is evidence that terrorists have explored using lasers as weapons.

There is no specific intelligence indicating al Qaeda or other groups might use lasers in the United States, they added.

"Although lasers are not proven methods of attack like improvised explosive devices and hijackings, terrorist groups overseas have expressed interest in using these devices against human sight," the memo said.

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One more thing to worry about for the holiday season. I really wonder how effective this would be in real world applications. You would have to be higher than the cockpit, and you would need pretty good aim unless the laser was pretty big. Also, most planes have automatic go around systems that are easily activated by the pilot, even if blind. This is one I just don�t give a lot of credence too.

TrueAmerican

posted on Dec, 10 2004 @ 06:03 AM

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lol, great. I can see it now:

From the DOT:
All cars, buses and trucks are now required to install "Laser Protection Visors" on their windshields." And it just so happens that the owner of the biggest "laser protection visor" company is none other than.... Go ahead, take a guess.

aape

posted on Dec, 10 2004 @ 06:16 AM

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This homeland security bs is starting to look like big parody. We should start a daily gallup what they are going to warn next.
1. Terrorists will use automatic gauss cannon against trains.
2. Terrorists are likely developing anti matter psionic fusion bomb from used yogurt cans and car tires.
3. Just in: Terrorists have obtained large quantities of christmas sales coupons and are poisoning them with neurotoxins. Handed over at manhattan pedestrians it�s going to be ultimate WEAPON OF MASS DESTRUCTION!
4. Terrorists have changed the dial up numbers for every cellular phone in the states creating ultimate weapon of mass confusion.
etc..

..im bored
-ap