The SkyShield system protects passenger aircraft against shoulder-launched missiles.
The Ministry of Defense and Elbit Systems Ltd. (Nasdaq: ESLT; TASE: ESLT) announced yesterday that they have successfully completed a series of trials to certify a defense system to protect passenger aircraft against shoulder-launched missiles. The SkyShield system, also known as C-MUSIC uses a laser beam to deflect shoulder-launched missiles through jamming. Development of the system began more than a decade ago after an attempt to shoot down an Arkia Airlines Ltd. passenger jet that had just taken off for Israel from Mombasa Airport in Kenya.
The project was led by the Ministry of Transport's Israel Civil Aviation Authority and developed by the Ministry of Defense R&D administration with Elbit Systems acting as the chief contractor. The development process was long and arduous with the need to obtain permits to fit the system on passenger aircraft landing at airports worldwide. Developing the system cost several hundred million shekels.
Ministry of Defense director of R&D Brig. Gen. Eitan Eshel said, ÒThe system provides a response to the threat of shoulder-launched missiles held by terror organizations and provides comprehensive protection for the planes on which it is installed. The system allows identifying and jamming missiles shot towards planes using breakthrough technology and there are no similar such systems worldwide.Ó