Air Force Research Laboratory workers are busy at Kirtland AFB, N.M., developing the first portable, non-lethal deterrent weapon—called the Personnel Halting and Stimulation Response, or PHaSR. The weapon uses a two-wavelength laser system which temporarily impairs aggressors by “dazzling” bad guys so they can’t see the PHaSR-wielding troops. AFRL has delivered the first two prototypes to the Human Effectiveness Directorate at Brooks City-Base, Tex., and the Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Directorate at Quantico, Va., for testing.
As Air Force leaders consider concepts of operations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, sustainment in the field—and easing that support by using standard parts and limiting variants—should be a key consideration, according to a new study from AFA's Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Studies.