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BAE Systems has received a $29 million award from the U.S.
Department of Homeland Security to test an infrared aircraft missile
defense system on passenger aircraft. The tests will evaluate the
system's compatibility with daily passenger airline operations and
maintenance.
The latest contract is for the third phase of the DHS
counter-MANPADS program's research development activities. There will
be no testing of the JETEYE(TM) system's missile-defeating capability,
as that testing was done at government test ranges as part of an
earlier phase of the program.
As part of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS)
counter-man-portable air defense system (MANPADS) program, BAE Systems
will install its JETEYE aircraft missile defense system on up to three
American Airlines aircraft. The company will evaluate the system's
compatibility with daily passenger airline operations and maintenance.
"From the beginning, we actively engaged with U.S. cargo and
passenger carriers to commercialize our technology to meet the needs
of the airlines," said Burt Keirstead, director of commercial aircraft
programs for BAE Systems. "We're confident that the passenger-aircraft
phase of the program will provide valuable data for DHS's findings,
providing critical, fact-based information to the airline industry and
policy-makers."
The JETEYE system is based on BAE Systems' existing directable
infrared countermeasures technology, used to protect military
aircraft. With this award, JETEYE will be the only system installed on
both cargo and passenger aircraft.
"American Airlines is pleased to continue its partnership with BAE
Systems and is fully committed to supporting and participating in the
passenger airline evaluation phase of the DHS's counter-MANPADS
program," said Craig Barton, American Airlines managing director. "We
believe this is a key step toward understanding the true impact of the
technology and operational models on the airline industry."
DHS selected BAE Systems in 2004 to adapt the company's military
countermeasures technology to protect commercial aircraft against
shoulder-fired missiles. Since then, BAE Systems has received $105
million in funding, and has delivered more than 14,000 infrared
countermeasure systems worldwide -- more than all other participating
companies combined.
The counter-MANPADS program, created by DHS and Congress, is
designed to commercialize proven military technology and gauge its
suitability for protecting U.S. commercial aircraft by evaluating its
performance, impact on aerodynamic drag, weight, reliability,
maintainability, and system cost.
About BAE Systems
BAE Systems is the premier global defense and aerospace company
delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and
naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology
solutions and customer support services. With 96,000 employees
worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded $27 billion in 2006*.
*On a pro forma basis, assuming BAE Systems had owned Armor
Holdings Inc for the whole of 2006
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