BAE Cooks Up Non-Lethal Laser To Deter Pirates

BAE Systems has announced the successful demonstration of a non-lethal laser system designed to deter pirate attacks on commercial ships.

The system was demonstrated at the Pershore Trials Range in Worcester over a variety of ranges and conditions, said a companyrelease.

According to the release, an eye-safe laser beam is capable of providing a visual warning to pirates at distances greater than 1 mi (2 km), and of disorientating attackers at lesser distances so their weapons...