FAA begins equipping its jets with anti-missile system

SF Gate.com ^ | October 12, 2006 | Paul J. Caffera

[KeyLargo]

FAA begins equipping its jets with anti-missile system

Move is latest to protect aircraft from terror attack - Paul J. Caffera, Special to The Chronicle Thursday, October 12, 2006

(10-12) 04:00 PDT Oklahoma City -- In yet another reminder of the lurking threat terrorist missiles pose to airliners, the Federal Aviation Administration has begun installing anti-missile systems on its fleet of aircraft.

Northrop Grumman spokeswoman Ellen Hamilton confirmed the $12.5 million contract to The Chronicle on Tuesday.

The first system was installed on a Bombardier Challenger 601 aircraft by FAA personnel last week at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma City. In coming days, the FAA plans to install additional countermeasure systems on two additional Challenger 601s and one Challenger 604. The devices are designed to combat the threat from so-called MANPADS, or Man-Portable Air Defense Systems.

The defenses are to be installed on FAA jets used to inspect navigation beacons, radars and airport lighting at commercial airports.

The FAA would not comment on the installations. ...

[IrishCatholic]

Well, the planes they are protecting are also paid for by our tax dollars. So, while they fly around inspecting all the infrastructure, I'm ok with them making sure they aren't shot down in our aircraft.
Or do you think that the pilots that fly, and the technicians that do the instrument calibration, are some kind of fat cats?
The airlines should be doing the same thing on all their planes in one way or another as they figure out how to afford it.

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

And when will these be installed on airlines planes for the "common folk?"

El Al has had 'em for years. It's always interesting to taxi past an El Al airliner... interesting non-standard bulges here and there. That's why.

[USNBandit]

The program is expected to conclude in March 2008, according to Homeland Security spokesman Christopher Kelly. At that point, the protection systems will be removed from the planes.

This is the last sentence in the source article. It sounds like the program is meant as a test on various aircraft. It would also make sense to have them mounted on aircraft testing instrument landing systems to make sure there is no interference between the systems.

[GretchenM]

It's about darn time.

[gorush]

Cute, but you need to show your work.

[GAB-1955]

' And when will these be installed on airlines planes for the "common folk?""

It's being certified now for several models of commercial aviation, including, I think, the MD-10, MD-11, 737, and 747.

[GAB-1955]

"What self respecting terrorist is going to target the FAA anyway? "

You have to start somewhere. The actual first installations were on the 89th Air Wing aircraft (Air Force One and such).

[zipper]

Northrop Grumman has received supplemental type certification (STP) from the FAA to fly three aircraft using the DIRCM technology -- the MD-11, MD-10 and the Boeing 747.

[snip]

Northrop Grumman's Guardian system features a 50-pound pod, shaped like a small, upside canoe, fitted to the belly...The system operates independently of the aircraft's pilot in identifying a missile threat and then firing a burst from a laser that forces the attacking missile to "make a violent turn" away from the aircraft, said Jack Pledger, director of Infrared Counter Measures Business Development for Northrop Grumman. The process takes about two to three seconds, faster than a human could react under the circumstances, he added.

Aviation Daily, 9/13/06

--------------------------

BAE Systems tested another system on a Boeing 767.

http://www.homelandsecuritynys.org/news/2005/tr21116.pdf

[phantomworker]

[phantomworker]

I like that, JETEYE:

[American in Israel]

And when will these be installed on airlines planes for the "common folk?"

All of El Al Airlines flights are protected now.

[toddst]

10-4. Perhaps our airlines officials should be talking with El Al to understand how they got the job done. The sooner the better IMO.