Israeli commercial aircraft to be equipped with antimissile systems
Israeli Ministry of Transportation has selected Elbit Systems’ C-MUSIC (commercial multi-spectral infrared countermeasure) laser-based system to defend commercial aircraft against missiles
In the United States the debate is still going on about whether or not to equip commercial airlines with anti-missile defensive systems — and if so, what system to choose.
In Israel they have made the decision to go ahead with the project of protecting aircraft against shoulder-fired missiles, and the defense electronics company Elbit Systems has been selected to supply the Ministry of Transportation with the company’s C-MUSIC (commercial multi-spectral infrared countermeasure) laser-based system to defend commercial aircraft against missiles. The $76 million contract calls for installation of the system aboard various types of aircraft owned by Israeli commercial airlines.
C-MUSIC system is based on direct infra-red countermeasure technology currently used by military aircraft and helicopters. The system disrupts missiles fired at the aircraft via a transmitted laser beam. “We take great pride in the selection of C-MUSIC by the Israeli Ministry of Transportation and see it as a mission to assist in protecting commercial aircraft worldwide,” said Elbit Systems president and CEO Joseph Ackerman.
