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FedEx Asks Permission to Install Anti-Missile Lasers on Its Cargo Jet:
FedEx has asked the US Federal Aviation Administration if it could install anti-missile lasers on cargo jets, according to a request filed earlier this month. The FAA request is set to be published on the public register next week.
Heat-seeking missiles detect and target heat from cargo jet engines, and because these planes are less maneuverable that a fighter jet, they're hard to shake off. Gizmodo reports that anti-missile lasers act like a distraction, shining an infrared laser directly at the missile to disrupt its ability to track a heat signature.
Although it may seem out of left field, supply chain issues have been causing food and product shortages since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Last year, hackers even deployed ransomware attacks on a major agricultural services provider. With those cyberpunk logistics challenges in mind, FedEx's application makes a little more sense.
"In recent years, in several incidents abroad, civilian aircraft were fired upon by man-portable air defense systems," the application letter reads.
[...] When FedEx first tested similar equipment back in 2008, CBS reported the lasers were eye-safe. In addition, Gizmodo reports that the current application includes new features, reporting and important safety information for airline crew. The lasers really shouldn't pose a problem to civilians on the ground, then, and it makes us wonder — should all passenger planes have this tech?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday January 19 2022, @02:23PM
Effectiveness depends on the missile, but there are other factors.
A major one is that magnesium flares are a major fire hazard both for the aircraft itself and when used close to the ground. Decoy flares contain perchlorate based oxidizer, which is toxic. This makes maintenance more expensive and riskier. Solid state lasers only need to be powered down to be safe to handle.
Flares can also only be used once, so an attacker only needs to set the system off shortly before the actual attack to be successful. A laser can fire as many times as needed.
There is also the cost of retrofitting and recertifying the aircraft. A laser can be installed in the tail cone or co-mounted with an engine. Flare droppers are usually placed in the underside of the wings, which is much more involved.