Israeli defense contractor: Tests of anti-missile system for commercial aircraft successful
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}An Israeli defense technology company says it has successfully tested an anti-missile system designed to protect commercial passenger jets.
Elbit Systems Ltd. on Wednesday said its C-MUSIC system to protect large jets against shoulder-launched missiles from the ground passed tests. Elbit said it proved effective a number of times in protecting a Boeing 707 aircraft.
In 2002, militants fired two surface-to-air missiles at an Israeli charter plane shortly after takeoff in Mombasa, Kenya. The missiles missed their target but spurred an Israeli effort to improve countermeasures.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Elbit says the new system can be applied to any aircraft. It says it integrates advanced fiber laser technology with a thermal camera to protect against missiles fired from the ground.