Missile Defence System for Commercial Airliners
JetEye – a laser-targeting, missile defence system manufactured by BAE Systems – has been carried on a commercial aircraft operated by American Airlines (AA) for the first time, on a flight between New York and Los Angeles.
The flight represented the ultimate phase of a programme run by the US Department of Homeland Security to assess the viability of passenger-carrying airliners being equipped with missile defence technology.
Missile Attack Prevention
JetEye is a missile attack prevention system. Picking up on potential missiles heading towards it, it fires an ultra hi-tech laser, which effectively reroutes them away from the intended target.
Described by its manufacturer as “safe, easy to use and maintain”, JetEye is now set to be more actively tested, with two additional AA aircraft to have it installed, and daily flights across the US set to take place over the coming eight months, according to information detailed by BAE in a statement.
Commercial Suitability
These trials are meant as a means through which JetEye can show itself to be reliable and maintainable, in addition to being well-suited for commercial aircraft to use/ deploy.
The tests will not involve actual firings.
"BAE Systems worked closely with DHS and the airline industry to develop an effective response to potential terrorist threats", BAE Systems JetEye system programme director, Burt Keirstead, commented.
"It took a combination of ingenuity and perseverance to get to this point, and everyone involved is proud of the results."
Missile Threats
JetEye’s heritage lies in its manufacturers’ work in the military sector, and it is capable of swiftly acting against 21st century missile threats.
Armed Forces International will provide further coverage on this programme – a state of the art collaborative tie-up between the defence and commercial aerospace worlds - as more facts emerge.
Source – Armed Forces International’s Aviation Expert
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