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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: 2) by srobert on Wednesday January 19 2022, @03:26PM (2 children)
What do you mean, "they're asking permission"? The 2nd amendment guarantees ...
(Score: 2) by Freeman on Wednesday January 19 2022, @06:19PM
Corporations "are people" after all, right? That would be a very stupid line of reasoning, but perhaps legal? Just because it's stupid, doesn't mean it's illegal. I mean, look at all the people who still smoke, even after so many studies have shown that, yes it causes cancer. Sure, some people don't get cancer until their 80s/90s/nearly dead anyway, but seriously, smoking is dumb.
Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee"
(Score: 2) by maxwell demon on Wednesday January 19 2022, @09:27PM
This is about weapons on airplanes. Have you ever tried to test the 2nd amendment on airplanes? If so, you probably didn't get on board. :-)
The Tao of math: The numbers you can count are not the real numbers.