Israel's CAA Authorizes Elta Systems' Missile Protection System

Israel's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has authorized the use of an anti-missile self-protection system, developed by Israel Aircraft Industries' Elta Systems Group, on passenger aircraft.

The approval of Elta's Flight Guard was granted after the company successfully completed a series of tests, including flight tests, onboard a B-767.

Flight Guard is a self-protection system designed to combat terrorist attacks from shoulder-fired heat-seeking missiles that are often called MANPADS (man portable air defense systems).

Elta Systems' says Flight Guard has been field proven on Israel Air Force fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, and more than 200 aircraft in more than 15 countries worldwide are already using it.  According to the company, the system can detect any type of approaching missile, from any direction, in any weather, during any phase of flight, including takeoff and landing.  Elta also says the system has a very low false alarm rate.

The Israeli Government decided in 2002 to adopt Flight Guard to protect Israeli passenger aircraft.  According to press reports, El Al will install the system on six of its B-767s.  01-07-2006.

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