By John Oyuke
Shippers could soon have a more effective weapon against maritime piracy: a high-powered laser beam designed to disorientate and temporarily blind would-be sea-borne raiders.
British defence manufacturer BAE Systems has developed a prototype non-lethal, laser device it says would prevent pirates from aiming weapons at oil tankers and container ships in international waters.
An increase in piracy off the Indian Ocean coast of Somalia has made these waters the most dangerous for pirate activities in the world.
Shipping companies say the area has overtaken those traditionally plagued by piracy such as the Straits of Malacca in South East Asia.
The global defence and security company says the laser beam could be housed on moving ships and is capable of providing a visual warning to pirates at distances greater than 2km.
At lesser distances, the beam, whose effect is comparable to when a fighter pilot attacks from the direction of the sun, temporarily blinds would-be attackers so that weapons cannot be targeted effectively.
"Up close, the beam’s glare is so intense that it would be impossible to aim the pirate tools of the trade — AK47s and RPGs — in the direction of a container ship, oil tanker or other commercial sea vessels," said Roy Evans, BAE Systems capability technology lead for laser photonic systems.
How it works
"We have successfully showed that the laser works not just during the night, but also in full daylight." Evans said.
However, there are more requirements to meet before placing the weapon on the commercial ships. United Nations does not allow weapons designed to cause permanent blindness. BAE said the laser recently underwent night and day testing at a facility in Worcester, England. Cameras were placed at the target location to demonstrate the level of beam intensity and divergence produced by the test runs.
Beam oscillation techniques were also demonstrated.
BAE said when fitted on commercial ships the laser distraction system could use its own targeting capability or integrate with existing ship radar and sensor systems to control the direction and power of the beam, while having security features so that pirates could not use it if they boarded the ship.
Bryan Hore, BAE Systems business development manager for the anti-piracy programme, noted laser distraction "is part of a wider programme of anti-piracy technologies being developed by BAE Systems, including radar systems, which use expertise and knowledge from the military.
"The aim of the laser distraction project is to develop a non-lethal deterrent to pirates, which has no lasting effects, which can work in a maritime environment, be operated by the crew at no risk, and be cost effective," he said.
