An MD-10 cargo jet equipped with a Guardian anti-missile system from Northrop Grumman lifted off from Los Angeles last week on a commercial flight:
The FedEx flight marked the start of operational testing and evaluation of the laser system designed to defend against shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles during takeoffs and landings. Adapted from military technology, Guardian is designed to detect a missile launch and then direct a laser to the seeker system on the head of the missile and disrupt its guidance signals. The laser is not visible and is eye-safe, the company said.
Link to news story, and here is the N-G press release. (Thanks, Mike Outmesguine!)
Defensetech has been covering this for some time: Link 1, 2, 3, 4.
