Air Force plans Maui laser tests

By Timothy Hurley
Advertiser Maui County Bureau

KIHEI, Maui — The U.S. Air Force will begin testing a laser-imaging system from the skies above Maui next month in hopes of using the technology on unmanned aircraft to more efficiently collect information on enemy forces.

A final environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact have been released, calling for up to 160 test flights over a 3 1/2-year period using a manned Twin Otter airplane, which would carry an invisible "eye-safe" laser-imaging system designed to covertly illuminate night scenes.

Michelle Hedrick, an engineer with the Air Force Research Laboratory Directed Energy Directorate at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico, said analysis shows there will not be a significant impact on Maui's environment and, therefore, flight testing is scheduled to begin Jan. 4.

Several environmental and peace groups opposed the testing not only because of the potential noise and possible effect on wildlife, but because of what they described as "the militarizing of Maui." They preferred that the Air Force use an area designed for military purposes.

According to the document, the plane will circle slowly over Maui between an altitude of 4,500 feet and 12,000 feet during flights day and night, taking pictures primarily around the Maui Research & Technology Park in Kihei, where Air Force contractor Textron Systems Inc. maintains an office.

Images also would be taken of U.S. government property and, with the consent of property owners, other locations including "industrial buildings, vehicles, terrain features and infrastructure."

Lamps and beacons will be beamed into the sky only at "the lowest power levels, shrouded and aimed directly at the aircraft to minimize the impact on nocturnal species," according to the assessment. The flights would generate noise levels of approximately 45.6 decibels, or about 9 decibels lower than federal night standards.

Hedrick said Maui was chosen for the experiment in part to allow for refining the promising technology in the island's moist atmosphere.

Remote-controlled aircraft are playing an increasing role in the U.S. war arsenal. In Iraq, they provided key reconnaissance and fired on and destroyed about a dozen military targets. Current technology relies on high-resolution, conventional cameras at day and infrared sensors at night.

Contact Timothy Hurley at thurley@honoluluadvertiser.com or (808) 244-4880.