Army Reportedly Set to Test Secret Battlefield Laser

The Army will begin field tests this fall of its secret Stingray laser weapon, which is designed to blind enemy vehicles and gun sights and could damage soldiers’ eyesight, Defense News reported Monday.

The Army declined to confirm or deny the report, citing the classified nature of the project.

Defense News, an authoritative defense industry publication, said the Stingray is designed to be mounted on the Bradley armored personnel carrier. It uses a highly concentrated beam of light to detect and blind enemy periscopes, night-vision equipment and gun sights on tanks and other vehicles.

Defense News said unidentified Defense Department officials told it the Stingray would cost $500,000 to $1 million per laser. Full-scale development will cost about $250 million and take four to five years.

In 1984, the Army canceled its Roadrunner laser weapon program after public outcry over the fact that the weapon was specifically designed to destroy the eyesight of enemy soldiers.

An unidentified Defense Department official told Defense News the Stingray weapon would be harmless when set to minimum power. But, if the power level is increased during battle and “it hits your eye, it will do tremendous damage,” he said.

The Stingray laser is being developed by the Army’s Communications Electronics Command in Fort Monmouth, N.J., and Martin Marietta Electronics Systems in Orlando, Fla.