Subj : Planes with laser beams
To   : All
From : Sean Dennis
Date : Sat Jan 15 2022 10:49:00

[ You knew this was coming... -- SD ]

From: https://tinyurl.com/rcpxmxsu (washingtonexaminer.com)

===
 FedEx requests FAA permission to add anti-missile laser system to cargo planes

   January 14, 2022 07:30 PM
   By Abigail Adcox

   FedEx is looking to add laser [30]technology to some cargo [31]planes that
   would counter incoming heat-seeking [32]missiles .

   The company asked for permission from the Federal Aviation Administration
   to equip some of its cargo planes with a missile defense system that would
   "emit infrared laser energy" outside of the aircraft as a "countermeasure
   against heat-seeking missiles," [33]according to a public notice filed
   with the Federal Register.

   "In recent years, in several incidents abroad, civilian aircraft were
   fired upon by man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS). This has led
   several companies to design and adapt systems like a laser-based
   missile-defense system for installation on civilian aircraft," the filing
   stated.

   One of FedEx's competitors, DHL, was the victim of such an incident in
   2003 when one of its cargo jets was hit by a missile after taking off in
   [35]Baghdad . The crew was unharmed, [36]according to CNN .

   The proposal also talks about potential safety concerns, as infrared laser
   energy could be hazardous to people in the aircraft, on the ground, or in
   another aircraft. Infrared laser energy is also invisible to the naked
   eye, increasing the risks.

   To address concerns, the FAA listed several conditions, including
   requiring that the design does not allow for "inadvertent operation of the
   system" while the plane is on the ground, including during maintenance.

   FedEx proposed to install the system on the Airbus A321-200 and would
   require the FAA's approval to move forward. The FAA filing says the
   proposal will be subject to a 45-day public comment period.

   The Washington Examiner reached out to FedEx for comment.

Links:
30. https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/technology

31. https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/airlines

32.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/hawaii-releases-timeline-of-what-transpired-after-false-ballistic-missile-warning

33. https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2022-00505.pdf

35.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/defense-national-security/us-embassy-in-baghdad-targeted-by-multiple-rockets

36.
https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/14/business/fedex-anti-missile-cargo-planes/index.html

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