According to a claim published in the Federal Register, Worldwide cargo service FedEx has requested permission from the Federal Aviation Administration to install infrared lasers on cargo jets to protect them from heat-seeking missiles. The company cited the fact that civilian aircraft are now among the missile targets as a reason for this request. The most recent Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was the target of such an attack.
In the FedEx application, the phrase “In many incidents abroad in recent years, civilian aircraft were fired upon with man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS)” draws attention. The application continues as follows: “Because of this threat, several companies have designed systems such as a laser-based missile defense system that can be installed on civil aircraft to protect aircraft against heat-seeking missiles. FedEx’s missile defense system loads infrared laser energy on an incoming missile towards the aircraft, and the missile’s response trying to eliminate the possibility of watching the aircraft from its heat.”
The new systems, if permitted, will be trialled for the first time on FedEx’s Airbus A321-200 aircraft.
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