The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is testing anti-missile systems on commercial aircraft for the first time.
BAE Systems has been awarded a US$29m contract to install its JetEye aircraft missile defence system on up to three American Airlines aircraft flying between New York’s JFK Airport and California.
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The company will evaluate the system’s compatibility with daily passenger airline operations and maintenance.
BAE will also look at whether the systems are effective in helping prevent a terrorist from using a shoulder-fired missile to shoot down a passenger jet.
The system works like a jamming device which sends a heat-seeking missile off course.
JetEye’s missile-defeating capability has already been tested at government test ranges, and will not be tested on commercial flights.
The trial is part of the third phase of the DHS Counter-Man-Portable Air Defence System (MANDAPS) programme, designed to commercialise proven military technology and gauge its suitability for protecting US commercial aircraft.
By staff writer
