American Airlines to Test Anti-Missile System on Commercial Jets

American Airlines to Test Anti-Missile System on Commercial Jets

www.foxnews.com

DALLAS ( — Up to three American Airlines jets will be outfitted this spring with laser technology being developed to protect planes from missiles fired by terrorists.

Officials said Friday the anti-missile systems won't be tested on passenger flights. But the tests, which could involve more than 1,000 flights, will determine how well the technology holds up under the rigors of flight, they said.

The first Boeing 767-200 will be equipped in April or later, American spokesman Tim Wagner said. American operates that Boeing model mostly between New York and San Francisco and Los Angeles.

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It's about time! But American said it is NOT in favor of putting this system on it's planes. I really don't understand why they think this is a bad idea.

www.foxnews.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

I dunno, how often are commercial jets carrying passengers shot down by missiles? The only times that happened were when the US military mistakenly fired on their own planes while conducting exercises near busy airports. Seems like a colossal waste of money at best and something altogether more nefarious at worst.

reply to post by Scalamander


Well for 1 million per plane it is an expensive undertaking. Planes are shot down, just not in this country. I could understand why you feel this way, but since our borders are SO secure, why not? I mean, it wouldn't be that hard to get a Stinger over here - hell they say 1 illegal immigrant crosses the border every 30 seconds. It isn't that hard to believe they would bring in weapons.
Last year they found a rocket launcher (fired) in Newark, NJ. It was believed that there was an attempt on a plane landing or taking off from Newark Liberty Airport. And there are those that believe TWA 800 could have been taken down by the missle that this system is supposed to prevent from hitting the plane.