FedEx wants FAA permission to add anti-missile system to cargo planes. Infrared lasers designed to defeat heat-seeking missiles.

FR Doc. 2022-00505
Filed: 1/14/2022 8:45 am
[link to public-inspection.federalregister.gov (secure)]


SUMMARY: This action proposes special conditions for the Airbus Model A321-200
airplane. This airplane, as modified by FedEx Express (FedEx), will have a novel or
unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the
airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. This design feature is a system
that emits infrared laser energy outside the aircraft as a countermeasure against heat-
seeking missiles. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or
appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These proposed special conditions
contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to
establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness
standards.


Background
On October 16, 2019, FedEx applied for a supplemental type certificate to install
a laser-based missile-defense system, which directs infrared laser energy toward heat-
seeking missiles, on the Airbus Model A321-200 airplane. This airplane, which is a
derivative of the Airbus Model A321 series airplanes currently approved under Type
Certificate No. A28NM, is a twin-engine, transport-category jet with allowable seating
for 220 passengers, and a maximum takeoff weight of 89,000 pounds.




Discussion
In recent years, in several incidents abroad, civilian aircraft were fired upon by
man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS). 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. The FedEx missile-defense
system directs infrared laser energy toward an incoming missile, in an effort to interrupt
the missile’s tracking of the aircraft’s heat.



Joe Biden:


Last Edited by PANDEMIC OF THE VACCINATED on 01/14/2022 10:51 PM