FedEx asks US to let it install laser defenses to planes

Robert Besser
17 Jan 2022, 14:08 GMT+10

FedEx is seeking permission to arm its cargo planes with defensive systems to thwart attacks by heat-seeking missiles.
During a departure from Baghdad, Iraq in 2003, a surface-to-air missile struck the wing of an Airbus A330 operating for DHL.
During a departure from Baghdad, Iraq in 2003, a surface-to-air missile struck the wing of an Airbus A330 operating for DHL.

MEMPHIS, Tennessee: FedEx is seeking permission to arm its cargo planes with defensive systems to thwart attacks by heat-seeking missiles.

In a request to the Federal Aviation Administration, FedEx requested permission to add laser missile-defense systems.

During a departure from Baghdad, Iraq in 2003, a surface-to-air missile struck the wing of an Airbus A330 operating for DHL. The crew returned to the airport unharmed.

Just recently, the U.S. temporarily grounded planes after a North Korean missile launch.

"In recent years, in several incidents abroad, civilian aircraft were fired upon by man-portable air defense systems," the FAA document says. "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."

According to FAA procedures, public comments on the FedEx request will be ongoing for 45 days before a decision on the FedEx request is made.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to New Orleans Sun.

More Information

85 ℉

Mostly Cloudy in New Orleans/Lakefront

Business

Section

McDonald's operator buys all 850 Russian branches as company departs

MOSCOW, Russia: McDonald's has announced that it will sell all its branches in Russia to one of its local licensees, ...

Asian stocks take a tumble as euro reaches for the stars

SYDNEY, NSW, Australia - The euro has jumped above 1.0700 in Asian trading Tuesday, but stocks have fallen sharply.The run ...

Netflix to pay Italy $59 million in back taxes

MILAN, Italy: Netflix and Italy have agreed to a $59 million settlement to to settle a four-year tax dispute, Milan ...

UK retail sales reported high amidst record inflation

LONDON, England: British consumers continued to shop as normal last month, despite the highest inflation rate in 40 years, with ...

Wall Street rockets higher, Dow Jones gains nearly two percent

NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stocks rocketed higher Monday, a rally ignited by a weakening of the U.S. dollar ...

Michigan baby formula plant to reopen in face of ongoing shortages

WASHINGTON D.C.: Following baby formula shortages throughout the United States, FDA Commissioner Robert Califf has said that Abbott Laboratories and ...