Memphis-based cargo juggernaut FedEx is planning to add anti-missile lasers to some of its aircraft. The technology will look to counteract the effects of heat-seeking missiles, which have been known to strike aircraft on occasion. It specifically plans to make such modifications to the Airbus A321, an aircraft type that it does not currently have in its fleet.

Big aerial defense plans

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) turned heads this week when it announced that it is working on a proposal regarding the use of anti-missile lasers on commercial aircraft. The filing, which the FAA released on Friday, details a proposal for the Airbus A321-200, which cargo giant FedEx is reportedly looking to modify which such defensive technology.

The FAA's filing describes the new equipment as "a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes." After all, such technology is typically seen on exclusive aircraft like private jets or the US's modified 'Air Force One' Boeing 747s. The FAA explains that:

"This design feature is a system that emits infrared laser energy outside the aircraft as a countermeasure against heat-seeking missiles."

Airbus A321
The Airbus A321 is the aircraft that would receive such technology. Photo: Raimund Stehmann via Wikimedia Commons

A longstanding proposal

Of course, the use of anti-missile systems on commercial aircraft isn't completely unheard of. Indeed, as Simple Flying explored in a July 2020 article, Israeli carriers have deployed such technology on their airliners since 2004. El Al, the country's national airline, was the first to use such systems, with the modification costing $1 million per aircraft.

The proposal regarding the use of anti-missile laser systems on the Airbus A321 is a longstanding one. Specifically, Reuters reports that FedEx first applied for an approval for such modifications more than two years ago, back in October 2019. Simple Flying has reached out to the company for further information on the proposal.

In any case, the project will likely remain a long-term goal for now. This is firstly because FedEx doesn't currently fly any Airbus A321s. Indeed, according to data from ch-aviation.com, its only Airbus jets are from the A300 series. At this stage, the FAA is inviting those interested to submit comments within 45 days, with the project still under review.

DHL Airbus A300 Getty
DHL's A300s haven't always worn the yellow livery that we know so well today. Photo: Getty Images

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The importance of such technology

The FAA's filing notes that several companies have been working on the design of anti-missile laser systems in recent years. With regards to this, it references the fact that:

"In recent years, in several incidents abroad, civilian aircraft were fired upon by man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS)."

Looking back a little further into history, a notable example of such an attack involved a DHL Airbus A300. Departing from Baghdad, Iraq in November 2003, its left wing took a hit from such a missile, prompting a miraculous injury-free emergency landing without hydraulics. In any case, it will be certainly interesting to see the impact of FedEx's proposed modifications.

What do you make of FedEx's anti-missile ambitions? Do you think such technology will become more common in the future? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.