Missile Protection Systems Almost Ready

Despite the fact systems to protect commercial planes from shoulder-fired missiles are almost ready, it will take a push by the public to get them on board aircraft, according to executives at two defense manufacturers. Airlines must have the technology to respond to missile threats -- even if they seem unlikely today -- said Walt Havenstein, who takes over as chief of BAE Systems in the United States on January 1. Northrop Grumman’s Jim Pitts agreed, added if the public actually feared an attack, deployment would come much sooner. Airlines, however, may be banking on airport-based systems that promise to disrupt any attacks.