According to NBC and Reuters, FedEx has applied to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for permission to install anti-missile laser systems on newly purchased A321-200 aircraft. This system will interfere with the infrared chasing missile’s sensor by firing lasers, causing the sensor to fail, so as to get rid of the missile’s pursuit.
FedEx pointed to “several” cases of civilian aircraft being attacked by anti-aircraft missiles. Although FedEx did not specify which ones, NBC cited Iran’s shooting down of a Ukrainian civilian plane in January 2020. , and the shooting down of a Malaysia Airlines passenger plane by Ukrainian separatists in July 2017. FedEx has actually filed an application as early as October 2019. The FAA’s attitude is not against it, but it must meet “additional special conditions”, including ensuring that it will not be activated on the ground, and will not hurt when activated. other aircraft or people.
Although the anti-missile laser system on the cargo plane may seem a bit exaggerated, it is not without precedent. Some US commercial aircraft that often fly over dangerous areas have been equipped with anti-missile systems as early as 2008, and Israel’s El Al Aviation has also been equipped with anti-missile systems since 2004. Even FedEx itself has helped Northrop Grumman test the system. However, FedEx is the world’s leading freight company after all. If it is adopted on a large scale, it still shows concern about the current situation.
