BA in talks over missile protection system

British Airways has reportedly been having talks with the defence company BAE systems regarding the possibility of installing missile-deflecting lasers on its fleet of 300 planes. According to a report in today’s Guardian newspaper, BAE is one of a number of companies that the flag-carrier has consulted. A spokesman reportedly told the newspaper the company has also spoken to Boeing and Airbus regarding the possibility of installing such a system, adding: “The issue is whether the current technology can be adapted for civilian aircraft.” According to the newspaper, the BAE system works by detecting incoming rockets and firing a laser beam as a decoy; the system is already in use on some 6,000 military aircraft worldwide. BAE’s project manager Burt Keirstead, reportedly told the newspaper that his company was proud to be involved in such a project, but added: “It is sobering that we have to think about this.”