PHaSR Laser Weapon

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When I found this picture from a factsheet for non-lethal weapon systems for the Air Force Research Laboratory, I half expected to see a white storm trooper holding the thing. I don’t care if that thing works - I just love the look of it. This would bring a laser tag game to a whole new level. But in all seriousness, this rifle is actually a non-lethal weapon system. But signs show that lethal, personal laser systems are on the horizon.

“PHaSR, or Personnel Halting and Stimulation Response, is a rifle sized counter personnel nonlethal laser weapon system. PHaSR achieves the desired degree of protection through the synergistic application of two non-lethal laser wavelengths during the course of protection activities that will deter, prevent, or mitigate an adversary’s effectiveness. The laser light from PHaSR temporarily impairs aggressors by “dazzling” them with one wavelength. The second wavelength causes a repel effect that discourages advancing aggressors.”

I have previously posted about THEL or the Tactical High Energy Laser. These types of lasers, of which there is a mobile version called MTHEL, expend loads of energy and are very large at the moment. They can also be lethal and melt through metal. The PHaSR has a totally different use. At the moment, it is intended to be non-lethal. There is a mobile version called Pulsed Energy Projectile or PEP, which serves the same purpose but is a much bigger device - it weighs 500 pounds. I think this is an Army project. The device would be a vehicle mounted weapon.

All this being said, there are documents and budget line items that show that the military wants a scalable laser weapon. This would allow military personnel to switch between non-lethal and lethal charges at the flip of a switch. This sounds all too familiar. Get ready to set phasers to stun.

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