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Comment by hirundo | Hacker News Reader

> As for the initial detection of the laser, it was probably done by the pilot and co-pilot with their “mk1 eyeball” (i.e their own eyes).

https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/Mark_I_Eyeball

For some reason this feels like distinctively American humor. Non?

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Yes, sounds like it. MK (pronounced "mark") is an American military prefix meaning "version". MK-1 is version 1, MK-2 is version 2, etc.

"MK-1" is a common military joke/term meaning the human eye, as opposed to other electrical-optical sensors that might be fitted to an upgraded aircraft.

Cannot say, but many years ago (Italy, in constructions/earth moving industry) the Fiat-Allis track loaders were ubiquitous, with model names (depending on size/weight) like FL-4, FL-9, FL-10, etc. and it was a common joke, to call FL-1 (hand) shovels.

I guess it is the kind of thing that is worldwide or (re-) discovered independently everywhere.

Military humour?

Second this sounds military, but probably American?

It may surprise you to discover that we military drones have emotions, goals, families, and hobbies. Occasionally we're also programmed to chuckle, snort, and guffaw to fool the unsuspecting into thinking we're actually real humans.

Speaking of senses of humor ... I think the OP merely asked a question, and wasn't questioning the feasibility of the phenomenon.

Now 'Military Intelligence' is another thing entirely ... ;)

True story: I once had someone from England joke with me "military intelligence -- bit of an oxymoron!" I retorted "so is Great Britain" and we both had a good laugh. :)

I'm picturing a drill sergeant doing drill on this and barking out orders: "Laugh"! "Chuckle"!

A little bit of Drill Sergeant humor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xen1KeYDnCI

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