"Larry Dighera" wrote in message
Laser device in question has a rated power of 5 mW.

Actually, some are available with over 10 times that power:
http://www.wickedlasers.com/products.php

However, as you assert, they are probably still incapable of
inflicting retinal damage at the distances involved when aimed at an
aircraft in flight.

As I've said before, I have small NdYAG lasers that produce 3 watts (600x)
and Gas Ion ones that produce over twenty watts. But that's not what the
hype is about.

moo