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Laser Warnings Planned for Out-of-Bounds Pilots

akadruid writes "No, it's not a new 'Star Wars' system: The US Pentagon and NORAD are using lasers to warn off pilots flying into restricted airspace, according to Wired magazine. I wonder if they got the idea from the FBI, who charged a New Jersey man under anti-terror laws for doing this?" The system is not yet in operation (but could be as soon as next month), and according to NORAD, their system has been found safe for pilots' eyes.

8 of 258 comments (clear)

  1. boredom *can* be deadly... by flawedgeek · · Score: 4, Funny

    What happens when the guy who's supposed to be monitoring the airspace gets bored?

    --
    My other Sig is .40 caliber.
  2. Re:I still don't understand by fembots · · Score: 5, Funny

    They probably send out F-16s to do that.

  3. Re:I still don't understand by YrWrstNtmr · · Score: 4, Funny

    It's amazing how the pilots can look out the window and see the ground. Wonder how that works?

  4. If the laser power's high enough... by ErikTheRed · · Score: 4, Funny

    The signal to the pilot will be:

    "Please fly what's left of your plane out of the restric... oh.... never mind."

    --

    Help save the critically endangered Blue Iguana
  5. NORAD recruitment... by WIAKywbfatw · · Score: 5, Funny

    Sharks wanted for air traffic control duties. No previous aviation knowledge required but any laser-wearing experience would be advantageous.

    --

    "Accept that some days you are the pigeon, and some days you are the statue." - David Brent, Wernham Hogg
  6. "This is NORAD" by nxtr · · Score: 5, Funny

    "We hope that you do take caution as you fly out of restricated airspace with your remaining eye"

  7. Be careful with this one. by AtariAmarok · · Score: 4, Funny

    We allow laser enforcement of air traffic laws. Pretty soon, this includes the use of laser swords. The governments contract out to the Joint European Defense Institute to do the enforcing. Pretty soon, these laser-sword weilding do-gooders in their cool-looking robes start meddling in everyone's affairs, not just airplanes.

    --
    Don't blame Durga. I voted for Centauri.
  8. Just what we need by curlyjunglejake · · Score: 5, Funny
    NORAD with big frickin lasers... My favorite part is the study that determined that the laser dose they were using was safe.

    "Ok, now I'm going to shine a big frickin laser directly into your dome, please try to relax. Greeeaaat.. so, are you feeling blind? No? That's truly excellent. Ok, now I'm going to shine a slightly bigger frickin laser directly into your dome..."