The El-Op Company, of Israel's famed Elbit Systems, has completed a critical stage in developing an anti-shoulder-fired missile system for passenger planes. The new system is considered an important element in protecting civilian targets from terrorism.
A Ukrainian ground-to-air missile struck down an Israeli charter plane from Israel in Oct. 2001, killing all 64 passengers - mostly Israelis - as well as 12 crewmembers. A year later, on Nov. 28, 2002, unidentified terrorists fired 2-3 shoulder-launched missiles at an Israeli airliner that had just taken off in Kenya with over 260 passengers and crew on board. The missiles missed the plane.
The Hebrew website News First Class reports that El-Op's new MUSIC system (Multi-Spectral Infrared Countermeasure) comprises an all-direction warning unit that provides the first warning of an approaching missile, and a laser scrambler that broadcasts signals causing the missile to miss its target. El-Op's laser system can deflect a wide range of missiles and is compatible with many other warning systems.
A Ukrainian ground-to-air missile struck down an Israeli charter plane from Israel in Oct. 2001, killing all 64 passengers - mostly Israelis - as well as 12 crewmembers. A year later, on Nov. 28, 2002, unidentified terrorists fired 2-3 shoulder-launched missiles at an Israeli airliner that had just taken off in Kenya with over 260 passengers and crew on board. The missiles missed the plane.
The Hebrew website News First Class reports that El-Op's new MUSIC system (Multi-Spectral Infrared Countermeasure) comprises an all-direction warning unit that provides the first warning of an approaching missile, and a laser scrambler that broadcasts signals causing the missile to miss its target. El-Op's laser system can deflect a wide range of missiles and is compatible with many other warning systems.