Regarding using the Green Laser on water. In our tests (USN), flying at 3000 ft, we could see the reflection of the green laser off the water surface at 34 miles distance using night vison goggles.

Even though the personnel on the boat didn't actually manage to hit our plane until we were 15 miles away, we could see the streaks of light emanating from the boat every time the beam intersected the water surface. Once we learned to look for that, it was very distinct even when the laser never actually hit us.

The biggest problem we encounted was aiming the laser. Some sort of sight would help. The two finger method isn't that great to aim it. Our plan is to couple it with a sight and luminous dial compass to help keep track of what part of the sky has been scanned.

Regards,

Tom A.