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Anti-Missile Technology To Be Tested on Commercial Jets

Posted by Zonk on from the because-our-airline-tickets-were-too-cheap dept.

Hugh Pickens writes "As many as three American Airlines passenger jets will be outfitted this spring with laser technology intended to protect planes from missile attacks. The tests, which could involve more than 1,000 flights, will determine how the technology holds up under the rigors of flight. The technology is intended to stop attacks by detecting heat from missiles, then responding in a fraction of a second by firing laser beams to jam the missiles' guidance systems. A Rand study in 2005 estimated it would cost about $11 billion to protect every US airliner from shoulder-fired missiles. Over 20 years, the cost to develop, procure and operate anti-missile systems could hit $40 billion."

3 of 490 comments (clear)

  1. Can anyone spell... by realdodgeman · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    HUGE FUCKING OVERKILL?

    This is why you Americans need Ron Paul...

    1. Re:Can anyone spell... by Lost+Found · · Score: 1, Offtopic

      Congratulations on your criteria for picking a candidate. With a war raging out of control, soldiers and innocents dying, a national debt going through the roof, oil prices going out of control, the dollar dropping rapidly in value, the world becoming even more divisive and dangerous as the US throws its weight around, and civil liberties evaporating as fast as congress can pass bills they haven't read, you're concerned about a candidate's personal view on evolution? You might as well vote for Huckabee since he plays guitar.

  2. Re:how many? by poopdeville · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    You're asking him to commit a felony. Indeed, a capital crime.

    --
    After all, I am strangely colored.