Sky's The Limit
Talk about a big potential market. The Department of Homeland Security has struck a deal with American Airlines and BAE Systems to install infrared missile defense systems on three commercial jets, according to a story by Alice Lipowicz in WashingtonTechnology.
It's not a big deal, just $29 million. But think of all the planes that could be outfitted with the military-style gear, if the testing proves positive. Missiles targeting airliners? That would open a very big, very costly security endeavor.
By Robert O'Harrow |
January 9, 2008; 7:00 AM ET
homeland security
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Posted by: Edwin Constant | January 9, 2008 7:42 AM
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Our friends at BAE have quoted the devices at $500,000 to $1,000,000 per plane. Burt Keirstead, director of commercial aircraft protection calls it "the ultimate consumer use of the equipment." And American Airlines insists they are "philosophically opposed" to the anti-missile devices on commercial liners, but thought they'd humor BAE anyway. I'm excited about the impending increase to my homeland security fee, aren't you?
Courtesy Miss Mimi Hall at USA Today:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-01-04-anti-missile-jets_N.htm