PHILLIPINE SEA - A Chinese Navy ship fired a laser at a U.S. surveillance aircraft flying over the Philippine Sea west of Guam, the Navy said Thursday. Officials acknowledged the incident more than a week after it happened, reports CBS News. Continue reading original article.
The Intelligent Aerospace take:
February 28, 2020 -The military laser targeted a P-8A Poseidon aircraft west of Guam, which the U.S. said is a violation of international codes and agreements.
The People's Republic of China "navy destroyer's actions were unsafe and unprofessional," US Pacific Fleet said in a statement Thursday.
"Weapons-grade lasers could potentially cause serious harm to aircrew and mariners, as well as ship and aircraft systems," a statement released by the Navy said.
US Defense Secretary Mark Esper spoke about China's military rise earlier this month, saying "Over time, we have watched them seize and militarize islands in the South China Sea, and rapidly modernize their armed forces, while seeking to use emerging technologies to alter the landscape of power and reshape the world in their favor ... and often at the expense of others."
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Jamie Whitney, Associate Editor
Intelligent Aerospace
