Laser Attacks Against U.S.

Laser Attacks Against U.S. Forces Spread to the Pacific

The laser strikes follow reported incidents in Djibouti by Chinese military personnel.

By Kyle Mizokami

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Laser attacks against U.S. forces have spread out of Africa into the Pacific. U.S. personnel operating in the East China Sea area have been the victim of blinding laser attacks similar to those that took place earlier this year in Djibouti. The attacks, conducted with nonlethal lasers were reportedly carried out by Chinese nationals.


Earlier this year the Pentagon issued a NOTAM, or “Notice to Airmen” warning U.S. pilots of “unauthorized laser activity” resulting in injury to an unspecified number of U.S. personnel in the skies over Djibouti. The lasers originated on or very near China’s first overseas military base, just 8.3 miles from the American base, and according to U.S. officials, Chinese nationals were involved. The U.S. issued a formal complaint to China, which denied the accusations.

Now the U.S. is reporting similar attacks in the East China Sea, where more than 20 incidents have reportedly taken place. According to Aviation Week & Space Technology, as the attacks are increasing they are also involving more laser frequency bands.

China has been accused of developing and marketing anti-eye lasers, weapons whose use in wartime would constitute a violation of international law. These weapons include the BBQ-905 Laser Dazzler Weapon, the WJG-2002 Laser Gun, the PY132A Blinding Laser Weapon, and the PY131A Blinding Laser Weapon.


Chinese fishing boats set sail for the East China Sea, September 2017.
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The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command confirmed to AvWeek that the laser strikes are taking place both from shore and fishing vessels. It’s not clear where the shore attacks are taking place, but China trains and offers subsidies to fishing boat crews to act as what observers call China’s “maritime militia." Fleets of fishing boats often sail into territory claimed by China as a precursor to China’s claiming the region for itself, to hassle other fishermen and local coast guards, and to act as the eyes and ears of the Chinese military.

Pointing lasers at low-flying American planes would fall in line with the maritime militia’s duties, allowing the Chinese government to demonstrate that U.S. forces aren't welcome in an area without using official Chinese military or coast guard forces.

The increasing sophistication of these lasers implies Chinese state support for the laser attacks. There’s also the question as to how simple fishing boat crews can tell U.S. military planes from civilian planes without direction from someone with access to radar.

In response, AvWeek says, the armed forces are ramping up procurement of anti-laser protective eyewear. That’s a little complicated considering aviators wear all kinds of helmets, headsets, weapons cueing devices and chemical weapons protective gear. Anti-laser eyewear is also expensive, costing between $500 and $2,500 each.

It’s not clear what other kinds of pushback the US will direct against China. The U.S. recently de-invited China from this summer’s RIMPAC naval wargames. That was linked to China’s expansion of fake islands in the South China Sea, but the laser incidents may have had something to do with it. The idea that Chinese forces could intentionally wound American aircrews and then participate in the American-led exercise is a tough sell.