U.S. Air Force pilots are reporting a surge in laser strike incidents, the service’s Office of Special Investigations (OSI) said Tuesday.
The incidents involve shining beams from laser pointers, normally meant for presentations, into a cockpit.
Air Force Pilots Report Surge in Laser Strikes
Penalties for ‘lazing’ military aircraft include fines up to $250,000 and up to five years in prison.
Key Takeaways:
- U.S. Air Force pilots are reporting a significant surge in dangerous laser strike incidents, a trend also increasing in civilian aviation with nearly 9,500 incidents reported to the FAA in 2022 and 244 pilot injuries since 2010.
- Aiming a laser at an aircraft is a felony, carrying severe penalties including fines up to $250,000 and five years in prison for military aircraft, due to the inherent dangers.
- These "lazing incidents" are not harmless pranks, as they pose serious threats like permanent visual impairment to pilots and significantly jeopardize flight safety, especially during night operations.
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