Flight Guard- Israel's solution to missile threat to civil aviation, successfully tested

Mr. Meir Shitrit, Transport Minister advised last week that Israel's IAI/ELTA had completed successful test flights of its solution to the missile threat to civil aviation- the Flight Guard Self Protection System.
 
In a statement published by the ministry Shitrit noted that the terror threat to civil aviation has been widely acknowledged since the September 11th terror attack.
 
One of the most lethal threats is the heat seeker shoulder missile, which is deployed in large quantities around the world and available to all types of outlaw organizations. These missiles are easy to use, easy to hide and carry, and are extremely effective.The missile is attracted to the heat of the aircraft engines.
 
The Flight Guard Self Protection System is capable of detecting an approaching missile, warning the crew and automatically activating countermeasures that will divert the missile from its course, saving the aircraft and its passengers.
 
According to ELTA the system possesses several benefits:
-       Detection and protection against attacking missiles.
-       Fully automatic operation and response.
-       Very short reaction time.
-       Accurate Time To Impact measurement and optimal and timely countermeasures activation.
-       360 coverage.
-       All weather capability.
-       High reliability and very low false alarm rate.
 
 
Shitrit added that the system had reached its final R&D stage and its civil certification and was ready to be installed on civilian aircraft. He also noted that the Israeli civil aviation authority was about to approach its world wide counterparts to receive their approval for the landing of El Al planes assembled with Flight Guard Self Protection System