Trials have begun in Europe on the first "hijack-proof" airliner, which would be able to steer itself away from buildings, it was reported Sunday.
The new technology, which will start becoming available in 2008, also would let a plane land safely if terrorists kill the pilot, The Sunday Times of London reports.
In addition, microphones would be able to eavesdrop on passengers' conversations while closed-circuit TV detects suspicious movements.
The plans, developed by a consortium including France's Airbus airplane manufacturer and Britain's BAE Systems, the world's fourth largest defense contractor, have been in development since shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.
The first tests were carried out last month in Bristol, England, and Hamburg, Germany, The Sunday Times said.
"We think it is important that the public is reassured we are doing everything possible to get them maximum protection," said Daniel Gaultier, the project's Paris-based coordinator.
Similar work is being done separately in the United States.
Copyright 2005 LexisNexis, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy
News stories provided by third parties are not edited by "Site Publication" staff. For suggestions and comments, please click the Contact link at the bottom of this page.
