Air Force Launches $200 Million Program to Protect Pilots From Lasers

The Pentagon is stepping up its efforts to combat suspected Chinese aggression through a program to protect pilots from harmful lasers.

According to Defense One, the Air Force is spending $200 million on providing pilots with better eye protection that will shield them from military-grade lasers that have been shone at them. The U.S. believes China is behind several laser attacks on U.S. military pilots in recent years which have occurred over the South China Sea and other areas.

Pointing a laser at the cockpit of an airplane has the potential to blind pilots, which could lead to a deadly crash.

The U.S. suspects China is behind incidents that happened over Africa and near islands China is constructing in disputed waters of the South China Sea. Some of the lasers are believed to have come from Chinese fishing boats.

China has denied playing any role in the attacks.

Earlier this week, it was reported that China has planted roughly 2,500 members of its military into universities and institutes at Five Eyes members — Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

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