USN shines a light on laser incident in Pacific
The US Navy claimed on 28 February that one of its maritime patrol aircraft has been targeted by a laser fired from a Chinese destroyer.
The incident on 17 February, involving a USN P-8A Poseidon and People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Type 052D destroyer Hohhot, occurred while the aircraft was flying in airspace ‘above international waters approximately 380 miles [608km] west of Guam,’ the USN announced in a statement.
An onboard sensor on the P-8A picked up the sensor, which was invisible to the naked eye.
The USN protested that the action by Hohhot contravened the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES), which ‘specifically addresses the use of lasers that could cause harm to personnel or damage to equipment’.
It also claimed that the destroyer’s actions were ‘inconsistent’ with an MoU between the US DoD and the Chinese ministry ‘regarding rules of behaviour for safety of air and maritime encounters’.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![South Korea receives first Batch-III frigate and issues contracts for other vessels]()
South Korea receives first Batch-III frigate and issues contracts for other vessels
South Korea is moving ahead at speed with its frigate programme, involving both domestic heavy-hitting shipbuilders.
-
![UK-Japan meeting resolves details of Carrier Group operations]()
UK-Japan meeting resolves details of Carrier Group operations
As joint military training begins between the UK and Japan, a meeting of defence ministers plans details of a Carrier Group deployment later in the year.
-
![Spanish F-110 frigate’s new SPY-7 radar achieves successful track, keeping launch on schedule]()
Spanish F-110 frigate’s new SPY-7 radar achieves successful track, keeping launch on schedule
The SPY-7 radar will undergo testing and calibration down to its component level before it is handed over to the Spanish Navy.
-
![India commissions three new vessels]()
India commissions three new vessels
The new vessels, Nilgiri, Surat and Vagsheer, will be deployed to protect vital trade routes in the Indian Ocean.
-
![Fincantieri takes control of Leonardo’s underwater armaments business]()
Fincantieri takes control of Leonardo’s underwater armaments business
The deal includes a 50% stake in the EuroTorp project which designed the MU90 torpedo.
-
![BAE Systems to provide more Network Tactical Common Data Links to the US Navy]()
BAE Systems to provide more Network Tactical Common Data Links to the US Navy
Network Tactical Common Data Link (NTCDL), a multi-platform modular and scalable solution for all US Navy (USN) Common Data Link (CDL) requirements, has been designed to increase link capacity and embrace waveform evolution.
