USAF says China injured a Pilot with lasers

The pilot and copilot of a C-130 suffered minor injuries when they were hit with a military grade laser near their base in Djibouti. According to the Pentagon this is one of up to 10 attacks on US equipment or personnel from the Chinese military who has a base nearby. The injuries were described as minor.

The Chicoms have been flexing their muscles lately and perhaps its time to start returning the favor


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I ask myself why this is not adressed more public. If this was happening at a border I bet that it would throw biggert waves. But both parties being in a third parties territory see such "microagressions" are not that bothersome.

China´s big on military lasers from what I´ve read lately. I bet they can disable satellites too by overexposing the CMOS-sensors with the flick of a switch.

How far is maser technology as of yet? You know, to give those antennas a little peak

Got hit in Djibouti with a laser??

China and the US have naval bases there.

a reply to: FredT

Reminds me of the gulf of Tonkin. How did that turn out?

a reply to: anzha


I am going to ask you this one. I mean no disrespect to others though. What kind of laser technology could do that without frying them? Possibly conventional?

originally posted by: FredT


The Chicoms have been flexing their muscles lately and perhaps its time to start returning the favor


www.thedrive.com...

I don't think that's a can of worms anybody should want to open. There a lot more of them than you, and some say a little crazy.

a reply to: Allaroundyou

A simple laser pointer can screw up your eyes.

Could mild ocular damage be caused by laser targeting systems?

Perhaps the Chinese are painting the aircraft with a targeting laser, just for practice of course. If it is directed at the cockpit, it seems likely that it could cause some mild damage to the pilot's eyes.

-dex

a reply to: Bluntone22


That's kinda what I was thinking was used.

originally posted by: dfnj2015
a reply to: FredT

Reminds me of the gulf of Tonkin. How did that turn out?

Umm, the North Vietnamese lost their boats that attacked US vessels located in international waters.

originally posted by: verschickter
I ask myself why this is not adressed more public. If this was happening at a border I bet that it would throw biggert waves. But both parties being in a third parties territory see such "microagressions" are not that bothersome.

From what I've been told by people more "in the know" than myself, this is how superpowers test their new, fancy toys.

The third party country acts as a buffer. You're absolutely correct in the fact that if this happened on the border of U.S. territory it'd be an act of war.

It's all about the proxy wars/territories. Once you get involved it's swim at your own risk. The repercussions are slim to none. Unless you're the guinea pig.

What a BS story.

a reply to: SR1TX

Let me guess, no way could anyone possibly do this to our planes because they have ways to prevent it.

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: SR1TX

Let me guess, no way could anyone possibly do this to our planes because they have ways to prevent it.

No, it's a stupid story with no basis in reality or fact.

"from China's base in the East African country had harassed American aviators on between two and 10 occasions, resulting in two, unspecified minor injuries to the C-130 crew. She also indicated that there had been an increase in these "

Bullllllllsss***********Tttt

a reply to: SR1TX

Of course it is. Because you say so. Prove its BS. This isn't exactly the kind of thing you lie about.

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: SR1TX

Of course it is. Because you say so. Prove its BS. This isn't exactly the kind of thing you lie about.

yes yes because Uncle Sam saying it happened just carries the gold standard of truth, right?

LoL, get off the koolaid bro!

originally posted by: SR1TX

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: SR1TX

Of course it is. Because you say so. Prove its BS. This isn't exactly the kind of thing you lie about.

yes yes because Uncle Sam saying it happened just carries the gold standard of truth, right?

LoL, get off the koolaid bro!

I'm on the fench as well, however, this snipet...

"It appears the Pentagon is, at least for the time being, leaving the possibility open that individual Chinese personnel might have been acting independently in Djibouti and that the laser harassment is not a matter of actual policy." (Treyvithick et al)

It could be a number of reasons, I'm fiercly into our Nations power, so when foriegn Soldiers are harming our men and women, I get a bit pissed. To me, it should reciprocate. Its like the S china S., they will probe and probe, guage our response.

Who knows, but this, imho, should have more exposure to the people. Maybe I'll tweet the article later.

Either or, they got the attention of the US and they will go through the proper channels and protocols first by censuring them.

Shiiiiit. I bought and still own an insanely powerful laser that cost me no more than $80 on wish (originally priced at around $300). This laser shines incredibly far and bright into the night sky. I can hit a tree, wall, etc. well about a half a mile down the street and be able to see it. You can even hold a piece of paper, or anything flammable besides liquids, about 3 feet in front of you and it will easily burn a hole, if not spark a little flame. Came with rechargeable batteries, a case, multiple lenses, and a red tinted pair of glasses for safety precautions. Ive been told in the past to NOT SHINE IT AT ANY AIRCRAFT. For the obvious reasons anything unidentifiable though is fair game

Shiiiiit. I bought and still own an insanely powerful laser that cost me no more than $80 on wish (originally priced at around $300). This laser shines incredibly far and bright into the night sky. I can hit a tree, wall, etc. well about a half a mile down the street and be able to see it. You can even hold a piece of paper, or anything flammable besides liquids, about 3 feet in front of you and it will easily burn a hole, if not spark a little flame. Came with rechargeable batteries, a case, multiple lenses, and a red tinted pair of glasses for safety precautions. Ive been told in the past to NOT SHINE IT AT ANY AIRCRAFT. For the obvious reasons anything unidentifiable though is fair game