article_snippet: The beam, nicknamed a 'death ray', had been developed quickly because of fears over the weapons possessed by the Soviets - but was never used.
article_snippet: It said: 'You may recall that we developed and deployed with great urgency a naval laser weapon, designed to dazzle low-flying Argentinian pilots attacking ships, to the Task Force in the South Atlantic. 'a naval laser weapon, designed to dazzle low-flying Argentinian pilots attacking ships, to the Task Force in the South Atlantic was not used in action and knowledge of a naval laser weapon, designed to dazzle low-flying Argentinian pilots attacking ships, to the Task Force in the South Atlantic has been kept to a very restricted circle.'
article_snippet: Dr David Clarke found the letter in Dr David Clarke search of the National Archives and said a naval laser weapon, designed to dazzle low-flying Argentinian pilots attacking ships, to the Task Force in the South Atlantic referred to a device tested, but never used in anger, when troops were defending the Suez Canal in 1941.
article_snippet: a device tested used powerful searchlights to dazzle pilots as they attacked Royal Navy ships.
article_snippet: These weapons was designed to target low flying aircraft by 'dazzling' pilots targeting ships.
article_snippet: The 'death ray' was said to be unlikely to be unsuccessful in targeting ships but would work on humans.
highlights_snippet: Letter revealed Britain had Britain own 'naval laser weapon' to dazzle pilots .
  