Nichols Martin
A team of BAE Systems engineers has developed a system designed to protect pilots and flight crew against hostile laser attacks on aircraft.
The company said Wednesday the technology utilizes a novel film that allows only natural light to pass through it and seeks to help airmen avoid the dangerous effects of laser exposure.
According to BAE, airborne laser threats have been reported worldwide and most incidents occurred during aircraft take-off and landing.
Such attacks could distract pilots, obscure aircraft instruments and dials and increase the risk of short-lived ‘flash’ blindness or permanent eye damage, the company added.
Leslie Laycock, executive scientist at BAE, said the company demonstrated the effectiveness of the system against different levels of laser wavelengths in a laboratory environment.
The company aims to test and commercialize the system for public sector use.
