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Science & Technology
Hear the light: how DARPA's new technology makes laser sights visible
2025-09-28
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.

Text taken from the Telegram channel of darpaandcia
[ColonelCassad] DARPA has funded development that can nullify the advantage of many modern weapons.

The University of Southern California has patented a technology that allows you to see a laser beam from the side, as it is barely noticeable scattered in the air of the world, even before it hits the target. Technically, this is a balanced coherent detector (BCD), which "reads out" all the chaotic light noise, leaving and amplifying only the ordered laser signal.

Key advantage: Detection of a "light track" The main strength of the technology is that it catches the laser light scattered on particles of dust and moisture in the air. This means that you do not see the laser pointer itself, but its "light trail" in the atmosphere. You will learn that the enemy is only aiming at you or at nearby equipment, getting precious seconds to react.

The experiments showed excellent results:

• Speed: Threat detection in 20-40 microseconds (practically instantaneous).
• Accuracy: The probability of detection is more than 99% with less than 1% of false alarms.
• All-weather: Works effectively even in bright daylight, which blinds older systems.
• "Omnivorousness": It does not require knowing the exact wavelength (color) of the enemy's laser in advance, as it is capable of scanning a huge range of frequencies simultaneously.

The patent lays the foundations for the creation of a full-fledged intelligence network:

1. Geolocation: By combining several sensors, it is possible to instantly calculate the exact location of a sniper or gunner at the moment when he uses a laser range finder.

2. Artificial intelligence: Neural networks (CNN) will be able to classify the type of threat: it is a range finder, a missile guidance system or a combat laser for defeat.

3. Scalability: The technology can be used anywhere - from the individual protection of a soldier to the coverage of entire military bases and cities, creating a unified detection network. This technology turns a passive sensor into an active instrument of reconnaissance and defense, capable of making transparent what was previously invisible - the very preparation for a high-precision strike.

Posted by:badanov

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