Photonic Security Systems, UK-based, marine security specialist company, has launched a new proactive pirate defence system, the SMU100. It was displayed at the Defence and Security Equipment International Exhibition (DSEi), London recently. The Shoulder Mounted Unit 100 (SMU100) acts in a non-lethal and humane manner and is based on a proactive method to prevent pirates from approaching a ship. The system works by sending a 10-metre-wide multi-band laser light beam, up to a distance of 1 km, to dazzle the potential intruder and disable them from locating and boarding the ship.

Through this newly developed alternative to firearms security teams can effectively prevent pirates boarding merchant ships. The SMU100 makes it very difficult for them to filter the beam and still retain a view of the intended target.

PSS technology utilises multi-colour channels that are blended via a transmitter control unit and then directed to a lens through a fibre-optic cable. When activated and directed at an incoming craft, the multi-colour laser inflicts a dazzling effect allowing the ship’s captain to take a suitable evasive course of action to minimise further attacks.

Each unit package is built to suit the voltage supply available onboard and to the requirements of the ships’ owner or managers. The warm-up time is short and the units can be linked to threat detection devices or thermal imaging equipment if required.