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Home News Archive Combat Laser Pointers

Combat Laser Pointers

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In February 2006, “*2,000 Green Laser Pointers Rushed to Troops in Iraq described the innovative approach of American troops in Iraq, which had been picked up the US Army’s Rapid Fielding Initiative. In a great victory for Power Point warriors everywhere, American troops had discovered that same powerful but eye-safe green laser pointers used in their civilian jobs were much more effective than bright spotlights, when it came to stopping oncoming vehicles without the need for gunfire. That’s a very important consideration in counterinsurgency campaigns, where maintaining the support of the populace and acting as its protector forms the foundation of the American approach.

 

America’s allies have a similar mindset, and increasingly a similar doctrine as well. Not to mention a similar penchant for military nomenclature. Canada will be purchasing 750 “Visual Warning Technology (VWT) systems and ancillaries,” to include protective cases and remote operating switches, from R. Nicholls Distributors Inc.  of Longueuil, QC. They’re essentially jumped-up green laser pointers that can be operated remotely, and have enough brightness to briefly “dazzle” targets without blinding them or causing any permanent damage. The deal is worth C$7.2 million, including Canada’s VAT tax (GST). DND received 3 bids, and initial delivery is expected as early as March 2009, with full delivery before June 2010. Canadian DND release

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Meanwhile, Canadian Forces will make preparations to ensure that these systems are effective in theater:

“In order for VWT to succeed as a warning mechanism, the intended audience needs to be educated about its existence and purpose. Accordingly, prior to the technology being introduced into theatre, CF troops in cooperation with Afghan authorities will conduct a public awareness campaign to inform the local population. This campaign will inform Afghans that the green light emitted from VWT systems signals a warning and that whenever they see it illuminated at them from a military vehicle or checkpoint they should stay away. This public awareness campaign will also inform Afghanis that the dazzling illumination is not intended to harm them, but rather to alert them to potential danger.” -- Source:  Defense Industry Daily.
 

Newsflash

Effective January 1, 2019, Nick Sanders has been named as Editor of two reference books published by LexisNexis. The first book is Matthew Bender’s Accounting for Government Contracts: The Federal Acquisition Regulation. The second book is Matthew Bender’s Accounting for Government Contracts: The Cost Accounting Standards. Nick replaces Darrell Oyer, who has edited those books for many years.