Terror-Proofing Jets

Nearly five years after September 11, the airline industry is finally adopting new in-flight technologies to keep planes safe from terrorists. With $110 million in grant money from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Aviation Administration is currently in the process of certifying two antimissile systems designed for commercial airliners. The technology uses infrared sensors to detect and track incoming missiles, then fires a laser beam to jam a heat-seeking missile’s infrared guidance system. Tests on passenger-carrying flights could begin by the end of the year, says Homeland Security spokesman Brian Doyle. Meanwhile, defense contractors are developing advanced surveillance systems that monitor both inside and outside the airplane, with the capability to beam images by satellite to ground control, and autopilot software that can wrest control of a hijacked airplane. Here’s our rundown of anti-terror technologies set to fly within the next couple years. Read more...

A terror proof jet? It is certainly a novel idea. It sound like commerical jets will soon be compreable to military jets like the F-14 Tomcat. Just how maneuverable is a 747 anyways? Wasn't there anyone thinking about this six years ago before September 11th, 2001?