The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has formally signed a $29 million contract with BAE Systems and partner American Airlines to test an infrared missile defense system on scheduled passenger flights, but a leading industry group thinks it's a bad idea.

The contract, announced Jan. 4, calls for installing BAE's JetEye infrared laser jamming device on up to three of American's aircraft making scheduled flights across the U.S. The contract runs through April 2009. BAE officials stressed that there will be no testing of JetEye's missile-defeating capability, which has previously been done at government test ranges. Instead, the project will evaluate the system's compatibility with daily passenger airlines operations and maintenance.

As previously reported (DAILY, Dec. 11), the contract marks a new phase in DHS' four-year study of technologies to counter small missile attacks from devices known as MANPADS, for Man Portable Air Defense Systems. Both BAE and Northrop Grumman have successfully tested similar directed infrared counter measures - developed to protect military aircraft - on cargo aircraft.

Burt Kierstead, director of commercial aircraft programs at BAE Systems, said the new round of testing will provide "critical, fact-based information to the airline industry and policy-makers."

But industry groups remain skeptical. "There is no industry support for anti-missile devices on commercial aircraft and we remain opposed to any mandates of this equipment for U.S. or foreign carriers," said Steven Lott, spokesman for the International Air Transport Association. "MANPADS remain a very serious threat to aircraft but these short-sighted, technologically unproven projects could potentially bankrupt many of the world's airlines," he said.

"According to the manufacturers of these systems, the minimum cost to the airline industry would be $20 billion over the next decade and will likely cost even more," Lott added, saying the government should focus "on stopping the proliferation of these weapons and work on more sophisticated patrolling of the airport perimeters."

The Air Transport Association has made a similar argument in the past, complaining in an issue brief on its web site that "Programs seeking to improve airport perimeter surveillance - in effect adding to the layers of security - get relativity little attention," compared to DHS counter-MANPADS research efforts.