Free Republic

A U.S. aircraft carrier and its warplanes are shadowing an Iranian convoy approaching Yemen, Pentagon sources told Fox News, amid suspicions that the ships may be carrying weapons for rebel fighters. Sources told Fox News that the USS Theodore Roosevelt is not only tracking the convoy, but also launching F/A-18 Hornets to conduct "manned reconnaissance" of the estimated nine ships in the Iranian convoy. The movements escalate a standoff in the waters off Yemen, even as the U.S. and other world powers are trying to hammer out a diplomatic deal with Iran on its nuclear program. Already, the U.S. and...

A woman whose brother was killed in the September 11 attacks yesterday surprised top members of the House Homeland Security Committee with counterfeit Mexican matricula consular cards bearing the members' identities and showcasing how easy it is to get valid identification to board an airplane. Debra Burlingame, who was testifying on the Transportation Security Administration's screening procedures for pilots and flight crews, wouldn't reveal who made the cards, which appeared to bear the security marks of a valid card, but emphasized that they can be used to carry on daily business. "They look exactly like what I've seen. The back...

Shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles, or MANPADS (man-portable air defense systems), have proliferated throughout the world. They can be purchased on the military arms black market for as little as $5,000. More than two dozen terrorist groups, including Al Qaeda, are believed to possess such weapons. The FBI estimates that there have been 29 MANPADS attacks against civilian aircraft resulting in 550 deaths. At least 25 of the reported attacks have been attributed to non state actors. Even though a U.S. airliner has not been attacked by a missile, the question well may be when, not if, such an attack will happen....

Elta expects US license for anti-missile system in Q1 2004 The license will enable Israel Aircraft Industries-Elta to supply the systems for thousands of US passenger airliners. Dror Marom 29 Oct 03 15:08The licensing process for the Israeli systems for countering missile threats to passenger airliners is slated for completion in the first quarter of 2004. Achieving this target will enable Israel Aircraft Industries subsidiary Elta Electronic Industries to commence sales and deliveries of its systems to hundreds of US airlines, operating 7,000 airliners. Elta has signed a business agreement with US aerospace and missile manufacturer Raytheon (NSYE: RTN), which...