GRAHAM WARWICK / WASHINGTON DC
Teams to get $2m to develop airliner defence system
Teams led by BAE Systems, Northrop Grumman and United Airlines have been selected by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to begin development of systems to protect airliners from missile attack. Each will receive about $2 million to develop a plan to adapt military missile detection and countermeasure technology for commercial aircraft use under the six-month first phase of the programme.
Both BAE and Northrop Grumman are proposing laser-based directional infrared countermeasures (DIRCM) systems derived from equipment already in production for the US military. United leads a team proposing a lower-cost solution based on pyrophoric flares. The DHS says 24 candidates responded to its October solicitation for the counter manpads (man-portable air-defence systems) programme. Lockheed Martin and Raytheon were eliminated from the five finalists invited to submit full proposals.
BAE is teamed with Delta Air Lines and commercial avionics manufacturer Honeywell, while Northrop Grumman has yet to reveal its partners. The United team includes: Alliant Techsystems (AAR-47 ultraviolet missile warning sensor); Thales (MWS-20 pulse-Doppler missile approach warner); Symetrics (ALE-47 countermeasures dispenser); and Alloy Surfaces (advanced safe flares); as well as system integrator Avisys, L-3 Integrated Systems, Georgia Tech Research Institute and the US Naval Air Warfare Center.
Life-cycle cost will be the key factor in determining the feasibility of protecting airliners from missile attack. Both BAE and Northrop Grumman say the installed cost of their systems will be within the $1 million limit set by the DHS for the 1,000th unit. The United team says its flare-based system will cost around $500,000. All three say the per-flight cost will be well below the DHS's target of $500.
Flight International's Countermeasures Conference takes place in Washington DC on 28 January. Contact sallie.edwards@rbi.co.uk.
Source: Flight International