Ranged Eye-Safe Laser-Induced Flashbang Enabling System

To address the Navy need for laser-induced plasma detonation (LIPD), Physical Optics Corporation (POC) is developing a new Ranged Eye-Safe Laser-Induced Flashbang Enabling System (RESLIFE) with minimized risk of permanent eye damage or fatalities. This proposed system is based on a combination of two eye-safe pulsed laser systems, namely the picosecond erbium laser and nanosecond thulium/holmium laser systems. With the innovation in dual-wavelength energy delivery to a desired location, the RESLIFE precisely and independently controls the light and acoustic effects of the detonation while providing substantially stronger visual and auditory deterrent compared to current LIPD systems. As a result, this system offers a strong deterrent comparable to existing flashbang systems and also gives the opportunity to deliver audible messages using eye-safe wavelengths, which directly address the Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Program requirements for nonlethal effects without permanent retinal damage to human targets. In Phase I, POC demonstrated the feasibility of RESLIFE through analytical modeling of the system and a bench top demonstration of a laser system for laser-induced plasma detonation. In Phase II, POC plans to develop a fully functional breadboard system capable of plasma production beyond 100 m.