1. While I was reading about the Falkland war's naval action, I learned British warships at one time (70s - 80s ?) were specifically equipped with laser emitters to try to distract jet fighter pilots flying into attack the war ships. This was when some jet fighters still had to fly in close to the warships to attack them.
This was mentioned in the book "One Hundred Days: The Memoirs of the Falklands Battle Group Commander (Bluejacket Books)", by Adm. Sandy Woodward.
2. Since a few years ago, US air crew members (specifically on low/slow ones like helicopters) flying around the DMZ area in S. Korea are required to wear protective goggles to protect their eyes from laser beams pointed by North Korean soldiers. This apparently happened a few times and so wearing the protective goggle became a requirement for the crews.
3. Few years ago, a man (fisherman ?) was swept out to the sea at night off one of the Hawaiian islands. He was able to stay afloat but unable to swim into shore. When he heard a helicopter searching for him, he pointed a laser beam emitter into the sky. He pointed out into the sky but away from the helicopter. This helped the air crew locate him quickly for the rescue.
Though maybe general principles would reject any weapon principally designed to maim? That leaves a lot of grey area so understandable that it might need to be spelled out explicitly.
Laser flares are a thing and potentially becoming new regulation. Possible to test, last longer and aren't a dangerous pyrotechnic stored in a confined environment.
I wonder if the laser emitters were mostly meant to effect the crew or if they were aimed at overloading whatever optical targeting sensors the planes were using.
1. While I was reading about the Falkland war's naval action, I learned British warships at one time (70s - 80s ?) were specifically equipped with laser emitters to try to distract jet fighter pilots flying into attack the war ships. This was when some jet fighters still had to fly in close to the warships to attack them.
This was mentioned in the book "One Hundred Days: The Memoirs of the Falklands Battle Group Commander (Bluejacket Books)", by Adm. Sandy Woodward.
2. Since a few years ago, US air crew members (specifically on low/slow ones like helicopters) flying around the DMZ area in S. Korea are required to wear protective goggles to protect their eyes from laser beams pointed by North Korean soldiers. This apparently happened a few times and so wearing the protective goggle became a requirement for the crews.
3. Few years ago, a man (fisherman ?) was swept out to the sea at night off one of the Hawaiian islands. He was able to stay afloat but unable to swim into shore. When he heard a helicopter searching for him, he pointed a laser beam emitter into the sky. He pointed out into the sky but away from the helicopter. This helped the air crew locate him quickly for the rescue.