Future Unclear for Plan to Arm Planes
Two companies working for the government say they have successfully tested systems to defend passenger airplanes against shoulder-fired missiles.
Raytheon, for example, said it has a developed a ground-based system that can be set up around an airport to detect and deter missiles aimed at aircraft. The company argues that its system, called "Vigilant Eagle," would be cheaper than putting a system on every plane.
The largest pilots' union doesn't think that the struggling airline industry should be required to pay for an expensive technology.
"If the federal government wants this thing, the government should pay for this thing," said Bob Hesselbein, chairman of the national security committee for the Air Line Pilots Association.
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On the Net:
Homeland Security Department: http://www.dhs.gov
BAE Systems: http://www.baesystems.com
Northrop Grumman: http://www.northropgrumman.com
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