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- Dec 21, 2002
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American plans to conduct tests on anti-missile system
By TREBOR BANSTETTER
Star-Telegram staff writer
American Airlines will be testing an anti-missile system on some passenger flights next year, the latest phase in efforts to develop technology to protect airliners from terrorist attacks.
The tests will be performed on behalf of the British defense firm BAE Systems, which won a contract with the Department of Homeland Security to produce the anti-missile technology. Since the 9-11 attacks, many security experts have worried that terrorists could use inexpensive shoulder-fired missiles to shoot down commercial jets.
Officials with BAE and American stressed that the passenger flights won't be testing the anti-missile capabilities of the system. Instead, they will study how the technology affects maintenance, fuel consumption, and other factors during a regular flight.
"Of course, we're not going to be firing any missile at any aircraft," said Burt Keirstead, BAE's director of commercial-aircraft programs. "This is solely for testing the suitability of the equipment."
Fort Worth-based American has been working with BAE on the anti-missile equipment since 2004. Last year, the airline provided a plane and two pilots for a test of the system at Alliance Airport in Fort Worth.
In the latest phase, the equipment will be installed on a small number of Boeing 767-200s that fly transcontinental routes, American spokesman John Hotard said. The planes will fly from New York to Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Despite the airline's assistance, American officials say they don't believe that anti-missile technology should be the first line of defense against attacks.
"We think greater intelligence to root out terrorism, plus perhaps some type of airport perimeter system to keep them from firing at airplanes in the first place, is the best method," Hotard said. "That said, we do want to know how [the BAE] system would work, so we're happy to help them collect data on it."
Military aircraft have used anti-missile technology for years, but the systems are still under review for passenger aircraft. One major concern is making technology that's affordable, as the industry grapples with high fuel prices and worries about slowing demand for travel.
The government said that the system should cost, at most, $1 million an airplane to install. But Keirstead said BAE's technology should be much cheaper, and estimated that it would cost about $500,000 an airplane.
Still, for American, the price tag could be significant. The airline has 655 planes in its fleet, which would mean nearly $328 million to equip every aircraft. And the systems could generate additional costs, such as higher fuel and maintenance expenses.
"Our main focus is on keeping the costs down," Keirstead said.
Shares of AMR Corp., American's parent (ticker: AMR), closed at $16.55 in trading Friday, down 30 cents.
[email protected]
By TREBOR BANSTETTER
Star-Telegram staff writer
American Airlines will be testing an anti-missile system on some passenger flights next year, the latest phase in efforts to develop technology to protect airliners from terrorist attacks.
The tests will be performed on behalf of the British defense firm BAE Systems, which won a contract with the Department of Homeland Security to produce the anti-missile technology. Since the 9-11 attacks, many security experts have worried that terrorists could use inexpensive shoulder-fired missiles to shoot down commercial jets.
Officials with BAE and American stressed that the passenger flights won't be testing the anti-missile capabilities of the system. Instead, they will study how the technology affects maintenance, fuel consumption, and other factors during a regular flight.
"Of course, we're not going to be firing any missile at any aircraft," said Burt Keirstead, BAE's director of commercial-aircraft programs. "This is solely for testing the suitability of the equipment."
Fort Worth-based American has been working with BAE on the anti-missile equipment since 2004. Last year, the airline provided a plane and two pilots for a test of the system at Alliance Airport in Fort Worth.
In the latest phase, the equipment will be installed on a small number of Boeing 767-200s that fly transcontinental routes, American spokesman John Hotard said. The planes will fly from New York to Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Despite the airline's assistance, American officials say they don't believe that anti-missile technology should be the first line of defense against attacks.
"We think greater intelligence to root out terrorism, plus perhaps some type of airport perimeter system to keep them from firing at airplanes in the first place, is the best method," Hotard said. "That said, we do want to know how [the BAE] system would work, so we're happy to help them collect data on it."
Military aircraft have used anti-missile technology for years, but the systems are still under review for passenger aircraft. One major concern is making technology that's affordable, as the industry grapples with high fuel prices and worries about slowing demand for travel.
The government said that the system should cost, at most, $1 million an airplane to install. But Keirstead said BAE's technology should be much cheaper, and estimated that it would cost about $500,000 an airplane.
Still, for American, the price tag could be significant. The airline has 655 planes in its fleet, which would mean nearly $328 million to equip every aircraft. And the systems could generate additional costs, such as higher fuel and maintenance expenses.
"Our main focus is on keeping the costs down," Keirstead said.
Shares of AMR Corp., American's parent (ticker: AMR), closed at $16.55 in trading Friday, down 30 cents.
[email protected]
