FedEx asks US to let it install laser defenses to planes

Robert Besser
17 Jan 2022, 14:08 GMT+10

FedEx is seeking permission to arm its cargo planes with defensive systems to thwart attacks by heat-seeking missiles.
During a departure from Baghdad, Iraq in 2003, a surface-to-air missile struck the wing of an Airbus A330 operating for DHL.
During a departure from Baghdad, Iraq in 2003, a surface-to-air missile struck the wing of an Airbus A330 operating for DHL.

MEMPHIS, Tennessee: FedEx is seeking permission to arm its cargo planes with defensive systems to thwart attacks by heat-seeking missiles.

In a request to the Federal Aviation Administration, FedEx requested permission to add laser missile-defense systems.

During a departure from Baghdad, Iraq in 2003, a surface-to-air missile struck the wing of an Airbus A330 operating for DHL. The crew returned to the airport unharmed.

Just recently, the U.S. temporarily grounded planes after a North Korean missile launch.

"In recent years, in several incidents abroad, civilian aircraft were fired upon by man-portable air defense systems," the FAA document says. "This has led several companies to design and adapt systems like a laser-based missile-defense system for installation on civilian aircraft, to protect those aircraft against heat-seeking missiles."

According to FAA procedures, public comments on the FedEx request will be ongoing for 45 days before a decision on the FedEx request is made.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Irish Sun.

More Information

16 ℃

Mostly Cloudy / Windy in Dublin

International

Section

Schools, restaurants in Belgrade evacuated following bomb threats

BELGRADE, Serbia: Belgrade was paralyzed this week by a series of bomb threats, including against schools, bridges, restaurants and a ...

Jeff Bezos tells Biden that inflation most hurts poor

WASHINGTON D.C.: In a tweet this week, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos criticized President Joe Biden for the second time in ...

As food prices rise, Iranians take to the streets to protest

TEHRAN, Iran: According to social media posts, protests that began last week across Iran over a reduction in state subsidies ...

China lashes US for change on website supporting Taiwan independence

BEIJING, China: China's Foreign Ministry rebuked the U.S. for changing the wording about Taiwan on the State Department website, stressing ...

First group of new saints since Covid outbreak announced by Vatican

VATICAN CITY: While recovering from knee problems that have forced him to use a wheelchair last week, Pope Francis announced ...

It's not politics but Holy War for me: Imran Khan

SIALKOT, Pakistan - Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has claimed that a plot to kill him was being hatched, ...

Europe

Section