Jan 5, 2008 12:02 am US/Eastern
Passenger Jets To Get Anti-Missile Devices
Some American Airlines Flights Out Of JFK To Be Equipped
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
Dramatic steps are being taken to protect us in the friendly skies. In just a few months, some commercial planes that fly in and out of John F. Kennedy International airport will be equipped with anti-missile systems.
Homeland officials say that come springtime, American Airlines will outfit with anti-missile systems three of its 767s flying between New York and California.
The technology was developed and will be run by the North American subsidiary of British defense organization BAE systems.
The Department of Homeland Security is spending $29 million on the systems, hoping to protect commercial airplanes against terrorists with shoulder-fired rockets.
The device will be placed on the belly of the plane between the wheels. Sensors on the device will be able to detect a heat-seeking missile and shoot a laser at it to veer it off course.
It's already been tested on cargo planes.
Although there have never been any attempts to take down a commercial airline with a shoulder-fired rocket, a DHL cargo jet sustained significant damage from such a projectile just a few years ago.
Officials warn the weapons can be bought on the black market for little money.
The cost for the missile defense system per plane is around $750,000. The airlines have already told Congress that it's up to the government to write the checks.
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