November 9, 2005, Kirtland Air Force Base, NM--The Directed Energy Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory is developing two non-lethal laser weapons with applications ranging from protecting military aircraft to controlling hostile crowds.
One of the devices, called Aircraft Countermeasures (ACCM), uses a non-lethal coaxial laser to create a glare that impairs a small-arms shooter's ability to aim at an aircraft. Planned for use in conjunction with helicopter gunnery, a finished prototype was tested in May 2005 and found to be "extremely effective."
The second device is a two-wavelength, hand-held, single-operator laser system for troop and perimeter defense that "dazzles" individuals, removing their ability to see the laser source. The first two prototypes of the Personnel Halting and Stimulation Response (PHaSR) have been 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, who is also the flight commander within the Laser Division of the directorate for ScorpWorks, a unit of military scientists and engineers that develops laser system prototypes for AFRL from beginning concept to product field testing.
The National Institute of Justice recently awarded ScorpWorks $250,000 to make an advanced prototype that will add an eye-safe laser range finder into PHaSR. The next prototype is planned to include the eye-safe range finder and is planned for completion in March 2006.