They use AN/PEQ-# (where # is the model number. Lots of different variants in use) IR beam illuminators which essentially is a rifle-mounted gadget with an IR laser beam within a very specific range of IR-frequencies only visible by modern night vission equipment designed to see that IR range. To my knowledge no parts of the Iraqi military had equipment capable of seeing those beams, for example.
It's the way lasers work. Laser beams don't go 100% straight, and due to the wave-behaviour of light they diverge from the center axis, more and more over distance. How much depends on the quality/cost of the laser (number and quality of mirrors, etc) and of the wavelength of the transmitted light. Also, the end appears larger because of the reflected light where it 'impacts', giving the 'glowing ball' effect.
The pointers are in the infrared range, somewhere between visible light and a microwave. Without the goggles you can't see them. Even the little lightsticks you can buy for the military, you know the little green ones, come in IR. You break one open and it looks like it doesn't work, except with the goggles on.
@florian116 No, there was no danger. As it said at the beginning, this was a show of force. In other words, just a demonstration of fire power to impress the insurgents.
This was done on the east side of the air field in Mosul, Iraq, between LSA Diamondback and the Tigris River. It was about 400 meters from my barracks. The first several times they did this, they gave us no warning and it sent us to the roof tops thinking we were under attack again.
嘩 ! 嗚...
alime2012 7 months ago
That is a MH-60L Direct Action Penetrator
roger5555ful 11 months ago
@noradnorthcom WAR MADE BETTER WITH NORTH AMERICA FIREPOWER!KILL EM ALL!
bubbascoutreb 1 year ago
What are you using to mark the target? I heard something about an IR Spotlight, can you give me some more info on this?
Fowarderboy 1 year ago
@Fowarderboy
They use AN/PEQ-# (where # is the model number. Lots of different variants in use) IR beam illuminators which essentially is a rifle-mounted gadget with an IR laser beam within a very specific range of IR-frequencies only visible by modern night vission equipment designed to see that IR range. To my knowledge no parts of the Iraqi military had equipment capable of seeing those beams, for example.
Inkompetent 1 year ago
@Inkompetent What's causing it to become large on the target? Do you notice how the tip gets bigger?
Fowarderboy 1 year ago
@Fowarderboy
It's the way lasers work. Laser beams don't go 100% straight, and due to the wave-behaviour of light they diverge from the center axis, more and more over distance. How much depends on the quality/cost of the laser (number and quality of mirrors, etc) and of the wavelength of the transmitted light. Also, the end appears larger because of the reflected light where it 'impacts', giving the 'glowing ball' effect.
Inkompetent 1 year ago
@Inkompetent
The expanded beam could also be because of smoke or dust that helps reflect the light, but that isn't thick enough to block it.
Inkompetent 1 year ago
@Inkompetent That explains a lot, thanks.
Fowarderboy 1 year ago
Damn right
timelordhuman2 2 years ago
theyre not in much danger, the laser is heavily amplified by the nvg's. and if theyre using it, the insurgeants are gonna be running anyway.
Thraxxacor 3 years ago
awesome video.
neowolfe 3 years ago
Thanks for replying and for posting this vid of ordinance raining down.
florian116 4 years ago
Is there any danger of the pointers getting taken out by the Iraquis?
florian116 4 years ago
The pointers are in the infrared range, somewhere between visible light and a microwave. Without the goggles you can't see them. Even the little lightsticks you can buy for the military, you know the little green ones, come in IR. You break one open and it looks like it doesn't work, except with the goggles on.
mikemather5 4 years ago
@florian116 No, there was no danger. As it said at the beginning, this was a show of force. In other words, just a demonstration of fire power to impress the insurgents.
This was done on the east side of the air field in Mosul, Iraq, between LSA Diamondback and the Tigris River. It was about 400 meters from my barracks. The first several times they did this, they gave us no warning and it sent us to the roof tops thinking we were under attack again.
Listened to this for several months.
fjwjr 1 year ago