Posted on 12/30/2004 8:32:10 AM PST by conservativecorner
"On November 22, the FBI and Department of Homeland Security sent an intelligence bulletin to police agencies to alert them that terrorist groups have shown an interest in using laser beams to try to bring down airliners." From CNN, "Lasers illuminate airline cockpits on approach," with thanks to Jeffrey Imm:
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Six commercial airliners in the past four days have had their cockpits illuminated by laser beams while attempting to land, a government official told CNN Wednesday. The incidents have happened "all over the place" and in "kind of odd places," the official said without elaborating.
None of the flights was affected.
The government official, who spoke to CNN on condition of anonymity, said it was unclear whether this week's incidents were the result of "kids who got a laser light for Christmas" or whether there is "some deliberate attempt to target aircraft."
The cockpit of a Continental Airlines 737 was illuminated by a laser Monday as it approached Cleveland, authorities said.
FBI spokesman Bob Hawk said the light, which shined into the cockpit at around 8 p.m., came from a suburb about 15 miles from the airport.
The FBI said no harm was done and the light did not affect the plane's landing.
On November 22, the FBI and Department of Homeland Security sent an intelligence bulletin to police agencies to alert them that terrorist groups have shown an interest in using laser beams to try to bring down airliners.
"Terrorist groups overseas have expressed interest in using these devices against human sight," the bulletin said. "The U.S. intelligence community has no specific or credible evidence that terrorists intend to use lasers to target pilots in the homeland."
The bulletin said lasers were not a proven method of attacking aircraft but that they could lead to a crash.
Lasers? It's the MANPADS I'm worried about.
You know, one has to wonder whether anyone would have even thought of doing this crap with lasers had CNN not suggested it in the first place.
To Paraphrase Dr. Evil...
"It's kids with frikkin laser beams..."
Most likely.
Kids with Dad's laser pointer?
Or they're using lasers to aim the MANPADS.
For those who received laser pointers for Christmas, it is a FEDERAL CRIME to use it to illuminate ANY occupied vehicle of ANY type. Pointing it at a moving car is just as illegal as pointing it at a moving plane.
For more threads on 'lazing' aircraft:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=laser
Six planes in four days is beyond all coincidence. Something's up.
Northeast Ohio Ping.
If you want on/off the list let me know.
But I wonder, how powerful a laser would be required for this, given that you need a fairly broad spot at the cockpit? 1W? 10W? Your 3 mW laser pointer wouldn't seem to be sufficient.
Except the reports I've read all mention GREEN lasers. Most toy laser pointers are red.
There was one here in Colorado this week too.
oops.
Seems we could use some satellite coverage to pinpoint some sources on this issue.
MM
I suspect this is the work of Kudos & Kang.
I recall the Seinfeld episode where the guy with the laser pen was tormenting George.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.