Companies selected for air defense program.

Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems mad United Airlines were awarded $2 million each to develop a countermeasure system to defend commercial aircraft against man portable air defense systems (MANPADS).

The first phase of the two-year Department of Homeland Security program requires each company to create a plan adapting military technologies for use on commercial aircraft.

Jack Pledger, director of infrared countermeasure systems business development at Northrop Grumman, said the company began installing a laser-based deffensive system on C-17s in May 2003.

"We can take the same concept and adapt it to commercial aircraft," he said. "It's ready for transition."

BAE Systems also has installed infrared countermeasure systems on military and private jets worldwide.

The challenge is to transition to civilian aircraft, said Butt Keirstead manager for Counter-MANPADS. "We know how to defeat missiles," he said. "We need to look at ways to improve reliability."

BAE Systems is partnering with Honeywell mad Delta Airlines.

The Transportation Security Administration conducted a vulnerability assessment of major airports in the United Stares. Although no specific threat against any U.S. airlines exists, DHS wants to help decrease the likelihood of an attack, said Asa Hutchinson DHS undersecretary for border and transportation security.

Besides providing a design, the three companies will have to address economic, manufacturing and maintenance issues to support a commercial system.

"This will assist us to determine if one or more capabilities are able to thwart MANPADS," said Charles McQueary, DHS undersecretary for science and technology.

One of the issues to be studied in Phase I is whether countermeasures can be deployed in civilian areas, he added.

According to Penrose Albright, assistant secretary of homeland security, flare based countermeasures, at low altitudes, can cause fires on the ground level.

Laser systems also pose problems, he added.

After six months, DHS will select one or two teams to build a prototype under Phase II. The prototype will be installed on a commercial passenger jet, undergo flight testing and receive Federal Aviation Administration certification, said Pledger.

The DHS Counter-MANPADS program received $2 million in fiscal year 2003, $60 million in fiscal year 2004 and will request an additional $60 million in fiscal year 2005.