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Current Events » in reply to U.S. to use lasers on drivers in Iraq

re: U.S. to use lasers on drivers in Iraq
ER — (archived)

If this is true, it is not entirely without precedent.

During the Cold War, there were rumours that the Soviets were firing
IR lasers at US aircraft trying to blind sensor operators viewing Soviet targets through optics (camera viewfinders, etc). The US did not complain publicly because we were violating Soviet airspace, and supposedly dozens of airmen were blinded (hopefully, in one eye only).

There are many rumours like this flying around...We know over 50 US flyers were shot down during this period, and several USSR aircraft, so the blindings is not an unreasonable estimate. Both sides kept quiet about it for domestic reasons. The Soviets did not want to admit the US was overflying them regularly and almost with impunity, and we had our own reasons.

I heard some beautiful rumors when I was in the service, but I can't personally vouch for any of them.

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