NEW YORK (CBS) ― Some still theorize Flight 800 was brought down by a missile, even though officials say there's no proof. But on Thursday, the threat of shoulder-fired missiles is a real and growing concern.
The threat has led Homeland Security and a major airlines to begin testing new defensive technology on commercial flights taking off from New York.
Passengers may be checked for explosives before boarding a plane, but a growing concern is what could happen away from the airport.
The light-weight weapons are becoming more and more available on the black market. As many as 150,000 are believed to be in circulation and can easily bring down a plane. But now American Airlines is flying with new defensive technology on some of its New York to Los Angeles flights.
Developed in New Hampshire by defense contractor, BAE Systems, the cross-country passenger jets are now equipped with a laser deterrent system mounted on the plane's belly. It can identify and misdirect an incoming missile.
"Over several years we have been testing and validating the system. So now it is really great to see us now at this point on an in-service passenger aircraft," said Program Manager of BAE Systems Laurie Nuzzo.
BAE Systems is one of the two defense contractors hoping to win a government contract. Congress will decide the future of this technology before next summer.
"No one is going to catch you by surprise now, maybe it will save a lot of lives," said an unidentified traveler.
American Airlines tells us its first flight equipped with the system flew from Kennedy to Los Angeles last Friday. It plans to have two more planes fitted with the system in the coming months.
http://wcbstv.com/topstories/american.airlines.flight.2.773865.html
Fonte: Filght Safety Information 18/07/2008.
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