Research Laboratory Developing Non-Lethal Laser Weapon, page 1

Air Force Research Laboratory employees at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M are currently developing a hand-held weapon designed to impair the vision of it's intended target. The weapon
uses lasers to illuminate and dazzle an individual so that they cannot see the laser source.

www.spacewar.com
The first two prototypes of the Personnel Halting and Stimulation Response, or PHaSR, were built at Kirtland last month and delivered to the laboratory's Human Effectiveness Directorate at Brooks City Base, Texas, and the Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Directorate at Quantico, Va. for testing.

"The future is here with PHaSR," said program manager Capt. Thomas Wegner. Captain Wegner is also the ScorpWorks flight commander within the Laser Division of the directorate. ScorpWorks is a unit of military scientists and engineers that develops laser system prototypes for AFRL, from beginning concept to product field testing.

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New technology like this is a double-edged sword. On one hand you have this tool that is non-lethal and can confuse and subdue crowds, on the other you have a new technology that will eventually be used against you. We can only remain technologically superior for so long, it will end eventually. This new weapon hasn't been tested on the field yet, but it will be and I'm interested to see how it performs when it is.

[edit on 15-11-2005 by asala]