Investigating the Impact of Laser Dazzling on Shooting Performance in a Simulator Environment

Laser dazzling can cause visual performance degradation in humans, resulting in reduced accuracy and reaction times. This study presents the results from laser dazzling trials conducted on trained shooters in a shooting simulator at the Royal Military Academy (RMA) in Brussels, Belgium. The main objective was to assess the extent of task performance degradation induced by laser dazzle, while also investigating the impact of different experimental conditions, including target contrasts and the use of laser eye protection goggles. The shooting simulator was equipped with a 532 nm green dazzling laser, providing a safe yet noticeable dazzling effect. Participants, all trained shooters with similar experience, had their shooting scores and delays recorded for each shot. A statistical analysis, employing a linear mixed model, was conducted to assess the impact of laser dazzling on shooting performance. The findings showed that laser dazzling significantly and quantifiably affected shooting performance, even at exposure levels below the obscuration limits. Additionally, shooters wore sensorized headbands to assess electroencephalography (EEG) changes to the presented stimuli. Preliminary results from the statistical analysis of the EEG data are also presented, offering insights into the shooters' cognitive and emotional state during laser dazzling exposure.