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**Visual Warning System (VWS)\
POSSIBLE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS**

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# I. [Operational capabilities/R&D/testing]{.underline}

**Is the VWS a laser?**

Yes, a low-intensity Class I laser that is eye safe at all distances.
The VWS is safer than laser pointers and can be directly viewed for
extended time (up to eight hours). The system is considered a Class I
laser device, that is, the safest class possible. There is no eye hazard
associated with viewing the beam. In comparison, green or red laser
pointers are typically Class IIIa, which have the potential for causing
eye damage if viewed beyond ¼ second.

**Why is NORAD doing this now?**

NORAD is employing the VWS now as a way to enhance the safety and
security of people and infrastructure in the National Capital Region and
to ensure the safe air operations over the NCR. It is intended to warn a
pilot who has inadvertently entered the ADIZ and cannot be contacted by
radio.

**News reports have said terrorists may use lasers to down planes. You
say you're also using lasers against planes. What's the difference?**

The basic difference between the VWS laser and the type of laser that
could be used by a terrorist is the eye safety of the laser being used.
The VWS is a class I system which is completely safe if viewed in all
conditions. In contrast, terrorist would typically use class III or IV
lasers which can cause permanent eye damage.

**How will pilots know if they are being "lit up" by NORAD or a
terrorist?**

The VWS uses an alternating RED-RED-GREEN signal to warn pilots. A
terrorist most likely would use a single color. This signal will be
directed at specific aircraft from a ground station and will be the same
for all violators. The signal will illuminate the cockpit and will be
visual to the pilot. What the pilot sees is a bright dot of flashing
red/green light which stands out among the many city and radio tower
lights at night or scenery clutter during the day.

**Have lasers ever been used in this capacity before \-- to warn
aircraft?**

No. FAA Air Traffic Control Towers currently use high powered spotlights
with red, green or no lens cover as a means of signaling, alerting and
warning aircraft. Spotlights were considered in this application,
however, it was found that laser light is much more discrete in ensuring
the warning is not seen by other aircraft flying near the offending
aircraft.

**Where and when? As part the NORAD Atmospheric Warning System or some
other militarily operated system?**

No. FAA Air Traffic Control Towers currently use high powered spotlights
with red, green or no lens cover as a means of signaling, alerting and
warning aircraft. Spotlights were considered in this application,
however, it was found that laser light is much more discrete in ensuring
the warning is not seen by other aircraft flying near the offending
aircraft.

**Are there plans to expand the system beyond the NCR?**

No. At this time, NORAD will only employ the VWS in the NCR.

**What locations in D.C will the laser beam be "fired" from?**

Due to operational security concerns, we will not provide this
information but VWS will be employed to enhance the safety and security
of people and infrastructure in the National Capital Region and to
ensure the safe air operations over the NCR.

**Is more than one laser operational now? How many lasers eventually?**

The system is projected to utilize multiple lasers around the NCR. For
reasons of operational security we are not able to specify how many or
when each one becomes operational.

**Would you use all lasers at once to illuminate an aircraft?**

The VWS operators will decide upon the most appropriate method of
attracting a pilot's attention.

**How does the system track aircraft?**

The reasons of operational security we are not able to discuss precisely
how the system tracks aircraft, but it employs the use of radar.

**At what point during flight would an unauthorized plane be lased?**

Only aircraft that are unauthorized or unidentified (e.g. no flight
plan, no transponder signal) AND unresponsive to Air Traffic Control
will be visually warned. The NAWS radar data provides a cue to point the
VWS at the intruding aircraft. The radar data is used to track the
aircraft so as to precisely direct the eye-safe red and green light
beams at the intruding aircraft.

**Who has responsibility for "lasing" an aircraft? Does NORAD or FAA
make the call? Is there an approval chain similar to "shoot down" that
must be followed?**

For operational reasons, we do not discuss rules of engagement, but
members assigned duties as part of NORAD's layered defense of the NCR
will control the VWS.

**How will you notify pilots that you are implementing VWS?**

The FAA will issue a Special Advisory Notice. We will also assist with
an education campaign to inform aviators about this new system before it
is implemented.

**Can you give a scenario of how the system would work? Is there a
sequence of warnings \-- fighters, flares, lasers, and then shoot
down?**

For operational reasons, we do not discuss rules of engagement
concerning interaction of military aircraft patrolling the skies over
North America, but VWS will be employed as part of NORAD's layered
defense of the National Capital Region.

**Are there restrictions on the use of the laser -- i.e. phases of
flight (landing, takeoff, en route, etc.)**

While we do not discuss specifics related to the employment of VWS,
several safety measures have been incorporated into the design to ensure
only aircraft that are unauthorized or unidentified (e.g. no flight
plan, no transponder signal) and unresponsive to ATC will be visually
warned.

**Would fog, clouds, rain or other atmospheric disturbances render the
system useless?** The VWS cannot penetrate clouds and will only be
effective in warning pilots during visual meteorological conditions
(VMC).

Can planes near the illuminated aircraft see the VWS lights too?

We are capable of illuminating the aircraft of interest without
affecting nearby aircraft.

**Can people on the ground see the VWS lights?**

On a clear day/night, no. People might see reflections of green and red
light on the clouds.

**Why aren't the current fighter/flares procedures adequate to warn
pilots?**

VWS will be part of the overall layered defense of the NCR. Using a
series of flashing lights, it provides all involved with securing the
airspace over the NCR a rapid means of contacting pilots when radio
attempts have failed. Should the VWS warning go unheeded, further
defensive measures, to include fighters/flares, will be taken.

**How much does this system cost? Please break out into R&D costs and
operational costs.**

We cannot provide this answer because of classification.

# II. [Health and safety]{.underline}

**Who developed this laser? (Air Force)**

The VWS uses a commercially available but specially configured
solid-state green and red laser system and has specific optics to make
it eye safe for viewing at all distances. For security reasons, a
specific manufacturer and model number cannot be given. The system uses
a standard 11" telescope to point the beam at a specific aircraft.

**Is it commercially available so as to be exploited by those with less
than honorable intentions?** The lasers used in VWS are commercially
available, are typically used in research projects, and are not eye safe
as purchased from the manufacturer.

**What kind of testing has been done to prove the safety of this
system?**

Both developmental and operational testing including biomedical effects
and flight testing. As part of the Air Force Research Laboratory's
support in the development of the VWS, AFRL's Air Force Research
Laboratory, Optical Radiation Branch (AFRL/HEDO), experimentally
determined the safe exposure levels of simultaneous green and red lasers
to establish the maximum operational parameters for the system to be
safe at all distances. HEDO also conducted experiments to assess the
effects on pilot attention, navigation and signaling. After the system
was built, HEDO conducted a complete laser emission safety analysis on a
system in an operational condition to verify laser energies and the eye
safety of the device. The AFRL test results has been reviewed and
endorsed by the Air Force Surgeon General's Office.

**Who conducted the tests?**

The Air Force Research Laboratory, Optical Radiation Branch (AFRL/HEDO),
located at Brooks City-Base, Texas.

**What did the tests show?**

Both pilots and non-pilots were used in the AFRL tests which showed that
the VWS satisfactorily got the attention of test subjects without
interfering with their tasks.

In addition, the system, as measured, is considered a Class I laser
device, i.e. the safest class possible with no eye hazard associated
with viewing the beam.

**How does this compare to, say, laser pointers?**

By comparison, green or red laser pointers used in a typical office
environment are typically Class IIIa, which have the potential for
causing eye damage if viewed beyond ¼ second. The VWS lasers can be
projected to longer distances because the beam is larger in diameter.

**How safe is VWS?**

According AFRL/HEDO, the VWS is safer than laser pointers and can be
directly viewed for extended time (up to eight hours). Also, according
to AFRL/HEDO, the attention properties of the VWS have no adverse affect
on a pilot's ability to pilot and navigate an airplane.

**What is the purpose of AFRL's Optical Radiation Branch?**

The purpose of AFRL/HEDO is to investigate laser effects on eyes,
establish safe exposure levels, provide guidance on the safe use of
lasers, and develop protective equipment against threat and hazardous
lasers. AFRL/HEDO also conducts a complete laser safety analysis of all
new AF military laser systems prior to acceptance into the Air Force
operational inventory.

**Were the results peer reviewed?**

All experiments were reviewed by an independent Institutional Review
Board (IRB) to ensure the safety of the experiments. In addition, the
safety analysis was reviewed by the Air Force Surgeon General's office.

**Are the results available for public release and where can I get
them?**

To obtain a full copy of the experimental results, please contact
AFRL/PA office, Ms. Deborah Csutoras at 1.937.656.9876.

**How long was/has VWS been tested?**

The VWS concept for human effectiveness has been under test by HEDO
since June 2003, which included laboratory studies of safety thresholds
for red/green lasing, attention properties, and effects on pilots.

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**Isn't there a danger that pilots or passengers eyes could be
damaged?**

No. After the system was built, HEDO conducted a complete laser emission
safety analysis on a system in an operational condition to verify laser
energies and the eye safety of the device. The system, as measured, is
considered a Class I laser device, i.e. the safest class possible which
has no eye hazard associated by viewing the beam. In comparison, green
or red laser pointers are typically Class IIIa which have the potential
for causing eye damage if viewed beyond ¼ sec. The VWS is safer than
laser pointers and can be directly viewed for extended time (even up to
eight hours).

**Couldn't this affect the planes navigation or communication systems?**

No. Pilot's can safely operate an aircraft at these levels. The laser
power is much less than a sun glint and is less than the power for FAA
regulated critical flight zones for commercial laser shows. What the
pilots see is a bright dot of flashing red/green light which stands out
among the many city and radio tower lights at night or scenery clutter
during the day. The VWS also does not affect any aircraft systems.

**Is there a danger to people or structures on the ground?**

No. It is a point-to-point system that will be employed skyward. Safety
measures have been incorporated to ensure the laser does not operate
below the horizon. Research has shown VWS to be safer than your average
laser pointer.

# [III. Approval process/policy]{.underline}

**What's the authorization process to implement such a system?**

NORAD made the proposal to the Secretary of the Air Force for inclusion
of the VWS in the NORAD Atmospheric Warning System. The SecAF then asked
the FAA for its non-objection for use in the NCR. The USAF sent a
request to the FAA to operate a laser device in the National Capital
Region (NCR) and is awaiting their response.