U.S. Set to Test Missile Defenses Aboard Airlines

[dogday]

By ERIC LIPTON
Published: May 29, 2005

In an airplane hangar north of Fort Worth, technicians are preparing to mount a fire-hydrant-shaped device onto the belly of an American Airlines Boeing 767. It is an effort that could soon turn into a more than $10 billion project to install a high-tech missile defense system on the nation's commercial planes.

The Boeing 767 - the same type of plane that terrorists flew into the World Trade Center - is one of three planes that, by the end of this year, will be used to test the infrared laser-based systems designed to find and disable shoulder-fired missiles. The missiles have long been popular among terrorists and rebel groups in war zones around the world; the concern now is that they could become a domestic threat.

The tests are being financed by the Department of Homeland Security, which has been directed by Congress to move rapidly to take technology designed for military aircraft and adapt it so it can protect the nation's 6,800 commercial jets. It has so far invested $120 million in the testing effort, which is expected to last through next year.

http://nytimes.com/2005/05/29/national/29missiles.html?ei=5094&en=be0104f77fcd1777&hp=&ex=1117339200&adxnnl=1&partner=homepage&adxnnlx=1117303246-iH1Ew/RewqwgjqOkR5bAPQ

[Pepperbelly]

1. So wouldn't that make it tougher to shoot them down in another ...

9/11 style attack?

:shrug:

[lenidog]

3. No you could still use guns

Also many air to air missiles are guided by radar and finally the IR seekers on an air to air missile are more powerful and smarter so it probably wouldn't effect its seeker.

[Pepperbelly]

4. perhaps yet you shouldn't shit upon irony.

Have you no shame?

[lenidog]

6. Sorry the irony and sarcasm part of my brain has shut down today

It rainy and grey here and the higher brain functions just aren't up to snuff.

[Pepperbelly]

7. I shall not be denied my irony!

Regardless of the weather.

:banghead:

[dogday]

2. Seems like it just adds fuel to the fire when using Aircraft to attack

buildings, et...

[Deja Q]

5. Domestic ONLY if the weapons can be bought or moved to the US.

Chew on that.

We've got underpaid folks manning airport security, so they're not going to care any more than they have to.

And we've got an "administration" that would allow anybody to buy any weapon they wanted. No controls or regulations; which is their typical mantra.

Devolution.

[Skink]

8. Anybody at a flight school that just wants to learn to fire the missles

Arrest them.:scared: