SecurityRatty: Anti-Missile Technology on Commercial Aircraft

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Anti-Missile Technology on Commercial Aircraft

2008-01-18 11:29:06 by schneier in Schneier on Security

There have been stories previously, but this time it looks like it will actually happen:

Up to three American Airlines jets carrying passengers will be outfitted with anti-missile technology this spring in the latest phase of testing technology to protect commercial planes from attack.
[...]

The technology is intended to stop a missile attack by detecting heat given off from the rocket, then firing a laser beam that jams the missile's guidance system.

I have several feelings about this. One, it's security theater against a movie-plot threat. Two, given that that's true, attaching an empty box to the belly of the plane and writing "Laser Anti-Missile System" on it would be just as effective a deterrent at a fraction of the cost. And three, how do we know that's not what they're doing?

More news here.