It is troubling times we live in when folks are forced to take measures such as these. The defense contractor BAE Systems will be testing anti-missile technology on commercial jets this spring. I might have some modicum of enjoyment at this prospect of added protection if I were ever to fly AA.
From the Washington Post:
Officials said yesterday that the anti-missile system would not be tested on flights that carry passengers. The tests, which could involve more than 1,000 flights, will determine how the technology holds up under the rigors of flight, they said.
The anti-missile equipment will be installed on Boeing 767-200s, an airline spokesman said. American flies that model mostly between New York and San Francisco and Los Angeles.
American said it opposes putting anti-missile systems on commercial planes but agreed to the tests to understand technology that might become available.
The tests “would not be tested on flights that carry passengers”. I just had a shiver run down my spine. This statement tells me that they considered testing on flights with passengers. Sweet merciful crap that would be horrible if the test failed. The fact that the carrier would oppose placing anti missile technology on planes seems odd. If the ability to protect planes is available to them why would they balk at it? If they are worried about the added weight on the planes maybe they should start cracking down on knobs that take massive bags on the plane as “carry-on”.
[tags]Anti Missile Defense, Airline Security, Missile Defense[/tags]
