Electronic warfare
Directed energy example
A laser or other light source (e.g., xenon arc) designed to blind or disrupt optical sensors is, in EW terms, EA. [1] Directional infrared countermeasures (DIRCM), such as the AN/AAQ-24, do, however, attempt to blind the guidance seeker of the missile attacking the platform — aircraft or tank — while its function is electronic attack, its goal is self defense. Typically, infrared countermeasures interfere with the final, terminal attack part of a missile trajectory. Directed energy countermeasures, such as the Russian Shtora-1 EOCMDAS (electro-optical counter-measures defensive aids suite) has modes that try to foil the terminal attack (i.e., the final dive into the target) as well as to interfere with midcourse guidance.[2]
Blinding 'must not' be directed at people, but only at equipment. A widely ratified international agreement forbids the use of weapons whos "sole combat function or as one of their combat functions, is to cause permanent blindness to unenhanced vision." [3] The protocol does not apply to blinding as a collateral effect of other laser-based systems, such as weather instrumentation, rangefinders, etc., but it is a widely accepted principle that unless the device is a true laser weapon intended to kill, it is unwise to give even an incidental blinding capability. After all, the beam could accidentally hit onto friendly forces or civilians.
- ↑ JP 3-13.1 p. I-8
- ↑ courtesy of Steven Zaloga and TANKOMASTER, TShU-1-7 Shtora-1 EOCMDAS, Welcome to Vasiliy Fofanov's Modern Russian Armour Page
- ↑ , Protocol IV on Blinding Laser Weapons, Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons