U.S. FAA reviews FedEx proposal to install laser-based missile-defense system on A321s

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said on Jan. 14 it is proposing conditions that would allow FedEx to install a laser-based missile-defense on Airbus (AIR.PA) A321-200 airplanes. FedEx, a longtime Boeing customer, does not operate Airbus narrowbodies.

The US company has previously participated in airborne missile-defence systems tests using Boeing MD-10 freighters.

While infrared countermeasure systems are not usually associated with commercial aviation, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and delivery giant FedEx have shown interest in its capability in the commercial aircraft space.

Delivery company FedEx has put forth a request to federal regulators to acquire permission for installing infrared countermeasures atop its cargo jets which can thwart the threats posed by anti-air missiles. The proposal to equip the cargo jets with missile defense systems was filed by the FAA with the US Department of Transportation on January 14.

“In recent years, in several incidents abroad, civilian aircraft were fired upon by man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS)”, FedEx was quoted as saying in the document released by the FAA. “This has led several companies to design and adapt systems like a laser-based missile-defense system for installation on civilian aircraft, to protect those aircraft against heat-seeking missiles”, it added.

The company explained that it wanted to equip its aircraft with a missile defense system that can direct infrared laser energy in the direction of incoming missiles. This would act as an interruption in the missile’s tracking of the heat produced by the aircraft.

FedEx also acknowledged the fact that infrared laser energy poses a great danger to the people on board the aircraft, people present on the ground, and also to other aircraft. The laser energy system will require the approval of the FAA, NBC reported.

Whether FedEx’s application indicates it intends to acquire A321s – and equip them with missile-defence systems – remains unclear, FlightGlobal reported.

Airbus never produced new-build A321 dedicated-freighters, but several companies offer A321 passenger-to-freighter conversions. Those include Elbe Flugzeugwerke, a joint venture between Airbus and ST Engineering that offers its A321P2F.

US firms Precision Aircraft Solutions and Air Transport Services Group (ATSG) also partnered to sell their A321-200PCF converted freighter. ATSG subsidiary Pemco does that project’s actual conversion work.

FedEx’s airline division operates a 400-plus fleet composed mostly of jets made by Boeing and its corporate predecessors. Those include five 747-400Fs, 108 757Fs, 112 767Fs, 51 777Fs, 11 DC-10Fs and 57 MD-11Fs, according to Cirium data. FedEx also operates 65 Airbus A300-600Fs.

It holds orders for 118 new aircraft, among them 38 767Fs, six 777Fs, 24 ATR 72-600Fs and 50 of Cessna’s in-development SkyCourier turboprop, Cirium fleet database shows.