Russian Oligarch Roman Abramovich has installed a laser based anti-paparazzi shield on his new record breaking mega yacht – the Eclipse.

Measuring 557ft long, it boasts two swimming pools, two helipads and an onboard missile defence system.

The boat’s anti-paparazzi system, described in several reports as a “laser shield”, is a little less science fiction than it sounds.

The lasers – beams of infrared light – are used to detect the electronic light sensors that digital cameras use instead of film.

The camera is then targeted with a focused beam of bright light that disrupts the potential photo, making any shots unusable.

What makes Eclipse’s system special is that it can detect any digital camera, whether it’s using a flash or not, and before the first shot.

The boat has reportedly more than doubled in cost to $1.2 billion since it was commissioned three years ago.

Via Guardian – Timesonline – Photo: Getty Image / Swim