Israel’s El Al is the only airline whose aircraft are equipped with a missile defense system. That means, all-Boeing fleet which consists of 787s, 777s, and 737s, are equipped with Flight Guard and its more advance version, Elbit’s C-MUSIC system. C-MUSIC stands for Commercial Multi-Spectral Infrared Countermeasures. We are talking about El Al’s commercial passenger aircraft here.
El Al aircraft fly above hostile areas. As a result, they are armed with these systems against surface-to-air missiles. If you are thinking that these defense systems are anti-missile missiles and guns, you are wrong. These defense systems use electronic counter measures. These kind of systems are mostly used on military and VIP transport aircraft.
Heat-seeking, anti-aircraft missiles constantly pose a threat to VIP and commercial passenger aircraft. These commercial passenger jets carry more than a hundred lives on board. They are defenseless when a SAM is fired on them. It’s like a Ferrari asking for a race against a stock Corolla. One is surely bound to lose. Even sharp maneuvers are not enough to throw away a SAM. A commercial jet is not capable of handling such maneuvers. Sadly, these missiles do end-up in the hands of terrorists and hostilities.
How this missile defense system works
According to Elbit’s, C-MUSIC is a Direct Infra-Red Counter Measure Protection for large jet aircraft like passenger aircraft. It protects against advance heat-seeking surface-to-air missiles. This is contained in a single, fuselage-mounted pod and employs advance missile detection and jamming techniques to deliver protection. This is the latest system now being installed on El Al’s aircraft which also protects against MANPADS or Man Portable Air Defense Systems.
How it all started
In 2004, Israel began installing missile defense systems on the El Al’s passenger airplanes. This is called Flight Guard. This system was developed by the Israeli’s which cost $1 million per aircraft. This works through a Doppler radar system with antennas providing 360-degree coverage around the aircraft. Within seconds of a missile being detected, invisible flares are released to confuse and divert the missile. Today, even other Israeli airlines Arkia and Israir use Flight Guard.
Other flight security measures
El Al employ the use of Sky Marshalls on board. These are undercover agents who sit together with regular passengers and carry concealed fire arms. Also, most El Al pilots are former Israeli Air Force pilots.
The cockpit of El Al aircraft are equipped with double doors to prevent entry of unauthorized people. A code is required to enter the cockpit. Once a flight crew gets through the first door, he or she should be identified by the captain or first officer. As a result, the second door can only be opened if the first door is closed. Also, reinforced steel doors are used to separate the passenger cabin from the cargo hold.
This is why El Al is considered as the world’s most secure airline. Out of the numerous attempts to hijack an El Al flight, only one has been actually hijacked. No fatalities were recorded from that incident.
