U.S. picks firms to study anti-missile defenses for airliners

U.S. picks firms to study anti-missile defenses for airliners    The U.S. Department of Homeland Security selected three contractors to help develop technology for commercial airlines to counter the threat of shoulder-fired missiles.
   U.S. intelligence agencies have expressed concern about the availability of portable missile launchers and the desire of terrorist organizations like Al-Qaeda to use them to down commercial aircraft. Last year, an Israeli-airliner taking off from an airport in Kenya was fired upon, but the missiles missed.
   BAE Systems, Northrop Grumman Corp. and United Airlines will each receive about $2 million during a six-month period to produce a plan to adapt military missile detection and countermeasure technology for commercial aircraft. The plans will analyze economic, manufacturing, maintenance, support and training issues to determine a system that can be safely operated in a commercial environment without disrupting service or burdening airlines with huge costs.
   One or two companies will then be selected for phase II testing and evaluation, expected to last 12-18 months. The Department of Homeland Security will forward its recommendations to the administration and Congress for the most viable solution to defend against shoulder-fired missiles.
   The three companies were selected from among 24 candidates, according to the department.