Laser Target Designator

Description:

A beam-type weapon, long familiar to science fiction fans, became a reality after the invention of lasers. That reality differed from fictional “ray guns” however. Rather than destroy a target directly, a solder used this battery-operated, portable laser to illuminate a selected target. A missile or other munition equipped with a special sensor detected the reflected light then homed-in on, and destroyed, the target.

This model AN/PAQ-1 laser target designator was developed at Hughes Aircraft Company following Theodore Maiman's creation of the first successful laser in May 1960. Before donating the laser to the museum in 1987, the U.S. Army removed a classified component so the laser will no longer function.

Date Made: ca 1984

Maker: Hughes Aircraft Company

Location: Currently not on view

Subject: Laser

Subject:

See more items in: Work and Industry: Electricity, Military, Energy & Power, Lasers

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Credit Line: from Hughes Aircraft Company

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: 1987.0026.01Accession Number: 1987.0026Catalog Number: 1987.0026.01Model Number: AN/PAQ-1

Object Name: Laser, militarylaserOther Terms: Laser, military; Lasers and Masers

Physical Description: metal (overall material)cloth (strap material)plastic (part material)glass (part material)rubber (part material)Measurements: overall: 10 cm x 59 cm x 36 cm; 3 15/16 in x 23 1/4 in x 14 3/16 in

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a5-623e-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_714274

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