MANPADS

To cope with the growing threat to civilian airliners, Israel’s Civil Aviation Authority has approved the use of the Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd.’s (IAI) Elta Systems Group/Israel Military Industries’ system for the defense of commercial aircraft against man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS), as the small, short-range systems are known, Aviation & Aerospace, December 29, 2005, reported. According to the IAI, "Flight Guard," the Israeli anti-MANPADS device, “uses an advanced radar-based Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS) to detect shoulder-launched missiles fired at the aircraft and ‘dark flare’ technology to divert missiles away from it."

DHS requested $110 million in FY 2006 for Counter-Man Portable Air Defense Systems (C-MANPADS) funding, an increase of $49 million over the $61 million base funding previously approved. The funds would allow continued research into protective measures against shoulder-fired missiles for commercial airlines.

On December 9, 2005, the Heritage Foundation think tank in Washington D.C. held a discussion to highlight the threatening homeland security implications of MANPADS in the hands of terrorists. Progress on the mandate has been made, according to panelist Jack Pledger, director of Infrared Countermeasures Business Development at Northrop Grumman.

… hmmm a better term might be KNEEPADS.