MANPADS Defenses

A bill requiring missile defense protection for the new Airbus A380 was introduced in Congress June 15 by Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.), chairman of the House Subcommittee on Aviation. "When you launch a new aircraft that can carry the population of a small village it must require - at a minimum - a missile defense system as standard operating equipment," Mica said. The aircraft in its present configuration carries 555 passengers; stretch models are envisioned to carry 800 passengers.

"This legislation is the next logical step to protect commercial aviation from the threat posed by shoulder-fired missiles," he said. "This bill sets a reasonable timeline. The installation and operation of counter-MANPADS [man portable air defense systems] would not be required until two years after the systems are certified airworthy and safe by the FAA."