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.

boredom *can* be deadly...

[flawedgeek]

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

Re:I still don't understand

[fembots]

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

Re:I still don't understand

[YrWrstNtmr]

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

If the laser power's high enough...

[ErikTheRed]

The signal to the pilot will be:

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

NORAD recruitment...

[WIAKywbfatw]

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

Spoofing?

[noidentity]

So, now the terrorists can shine lasers (less-powerful ones) at planes if they want the pilot to take a different route.

"This is NORAD"

[nxtr]

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

Fire a warning shot across her nose...

[The Lord of Chaos]

I said across her nose, not up it!!!

Pvt. Asshole: I'm sorry sir, I'm doing my best

Be careful with this one.

[AtariAmarok]

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.

Just what we need

[curlyjunglejake]

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..."

Two in one!

[adolfojp]

And if the plane decides not to comply, the laser can be used to guide smart bombs :-D

Cheers,
Adolfo

I first thought it said

[AtariAmarok]

I first thought it said that they were doing to use Rodan (instead of Norad) to stop out-of-bounds planes. Come to think of it, the Rodan solution might be more effective.

News Alert: The SCO Angle

[killercoder]

10 bucks says SCO files a patent for the process of warning a user using the red-red-green flash.

It would be hard to show previous use artwork.....and could be a ready cash cow.

Use this

[nmb3000]

They should get one of these gadgets [thinkgeek.com]. I hear they're becoming pretty popular. It's even USB!

This could be part of a more integerated defense

[ka9dgx]

You could do a ranged ring system, with a 1-2 mile wide warning ring, then another mile of almost blindingly bright visible light. Once you've gone past no mans land, the switch to kill mode would take over. The Hi Power Tracking radar, and the 1kw infared laser start up to attempt to disable the plane. If there is still inbound, then fire up the chemical laser and smite them.

Of course, the first crispy airplane that didn't know because of fog, etc... might put a dent in the plan.

--Mike--

Cheaper Laser Eye Surgery.

[fumcr]

Ladies and Gentlemen, this is your captin speaking, if you will look out the right side of the plane and the laser eye surgery will begin.

"Warning", my ass

[jcuervo]

"Hi, my name is Bill, and I'll be your captain today... We'll be having a smooth flight into--"

*BEEPBEEPBEEPBEEP*

"--ah, we may be experiencing some turbulence as NORAD has acquired laser-guided missile lock on the aircraft. Please note that the fasten-seatbelt sign is illuminated at this time..."

Re:I still don't understand

[Stregone]

Anti aircraft guns maybe? They'll turn any general aviation plane into confetti in a few seconds.

Re:I still don't understand

[tomhudson]

There is a 30 cm porthole in the floor of the forward-left section of the cockpit. It is often opened either for fresh air, or

if the pilot needs to relieve himself while flying the aircraft.

Kind of adds a whole new meaning to the term "bird strike" ...

Re:Why note encode data in the signal

[Bilestoad]

red-green-red-green means Christmas.

Re:Why note encode data in the signal

[tyler_larson]

By that I mean, why just flash red-red-green. They could also indicate the best direction to turn to get out of the airspace as quickly as possible: Red-red-green means turn right. Red-green means turn left. Red-red means stay straight. Green-green (for a few seconds) means you are now clear of the airspace.

Too complicated. If the pilot knew enough to memorize the light patterns, he'd know to avoid the ADIZ area without going through the 3-hour process of getting permission. As it is, the program is destined to be a useless waste of money because red-red-green means no more the average pilot than it does to anyone else. It's not one of the standard light signals that towers use.

The program's only potential saving grace is the slim possibility that a pilot would (a) notice the lasers, and (b) realize that they're directed at him as part of some offical government operation (a slim chance at best). He may then tune to 121.5 assuming he's in trouble and get instructions there.

In reality, the program is just another amazing waste of money designed to set the congresspersons at ease about their safety.

It may also be part of the government's legal defense after they shoot down their first civilian. "Well, we shined our lasers at him and he didn't respond, so we fired a SAM across his spinner as a warning shot..."

Invisible Fence

[mathmatt]

Um, wouldn't it be easier to fit pilots with electric-shock dog-collars and setup a few thousand miles of invisible fence?