New pilot glasses to combat laser pen attacks
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Following a string of recent high-profile incidents involving laser pen “attacks” on aircraft, a company believes it has come up with a solution to the problem.
US-based PerriQuest Defense Research Enterprises has unveiled what it claims to be “the world’s most advanced laser-protective eyewear”, which deflects laser pen beams.
The new technology, which patent-pending, is designed to protect the wearer from red, green, and blue laser light without compromising the wearer’s ability to distinguish colour. They also provide “angular” protection, meaning that the pilots are shielded even if the rays come from the side.
Production of the new glasses is already underway and the company said it is taking orders.
“This problem is not going away – in fact, it’s getting worse,” said PerriQuest’s founder, Dr Nicholas Perricone. “Tracking down, arresting, and prosecuting the perpetrators of these attacks is a herculean task. While enforcement is important, mitigation technology is really going to put an end to this behaviour.
“Once these glasses are in the hands of commercial pilots, and criminals know their lasers have been rendered useless, we will stop seeing so many incidents. My goal is accomplish that before any catastrophe takes place,” he added.
On Sunday, a Virgin Atlantic flight travelling from London to New York was forced to turn back to Heathrow after a laser pen was shone into the cockpit.
Following this incident, a BBC report cited an ophthalmologist as saying that he had treated a pilot who had been “flash blinded” by a laser beam, leaving him unable to see for up to 45 minutes. The pilot also suffered permanent eye damage.
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