Could the balloon be shooted by the laser?
The Lithuanian State Border Guard Service has been facing various challenges, including contraband transported recently by meteorological balloon from the territory of Belarus. Laser technologies create innovative solutions for the defense industry, as one of the main advantages of lasers is their accuracy and efficiency in detecting and tracking objects, as well as prompt response to possible threats.
The possibilities of assistance of Lithuanian laser technologies companies to the Lithuanian State Border Guard Service were discussed by the presenter of “Žinių Radijas” Aurimas Perednis and the head of the Laser Technologies Department of the Center for Physical Sciences and Technology (FTMC), the president of the Lithuanian laser association dr. Gediminas Račiukaitis. During the interview, they talked about a meteorological balloon with contraband that fell on the territory of the Vilnius airport, and explain the threat that such free-flying balloons can pose. If the Lithuanian authorities cannot find quick solutions to prevent this threat, laser technologies can come to the rescue. According to dr. Gediminas Račiukaitis “Lithuanian lasers are quite well known in the industry. The Border Guard approached us because we are the best specialists in the world, so we are trying to implement the idea: to attach small lasers to drones that would be able to damage a flying balloon when it detects it.”
All interview on the YouTube channel of “Žinių Radijas” there: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anJzkRP2IE4
The dean of the Faculty of Physics of Vilnius University (VU FF) dr. Aidas Matijošius and Vilnius University Laser Research Center researcher dr. Mikas Vengris. According to dr. Mikas Vengris: “It is too expensive luxury to shoot down balloons with a contraband cargo with a laser, but if the drone is carrying explosives to an important object, for example, the Kruonis power plant or an army unit, then such weapon may make sense.” More information in the press: Fizikas apie balionų numušimą lazeriu: panaudoti ginklą trukdytų lietuviškas oras – LRT
