El Al, an Israeli airline, is the only one whose planes have a missile defense system. This implies each El Al plane, Boeing 787s, 777s, and 737s are fitted with Flight Guard and its upgraded version, Elbit’s C-MUSIC. Commercial Multi-Spectral Infrared Countermeasures, or C-MUSIC, is an acronym for this topic. El Al is indeed the only commercial airline in the world whose planes are equipped with such defense systems.
The El Al planes often go over the enemy territory. Therefore, they have these defenses in place to counter surface-to-air missiles. These defensive systems are neither anti-missile missiles and anti-missile guns, as you may have assumed. Electronic countermeasures are used by these defensive systems. Most often seen in military and VIP transport aircraft, these devices are essential for flight safety.
Heat-sensing anti-aircraft missiles are a constant threat to both private jets and commercial airlines. There are usually over a hundred people on board a commercial airliner. When a SAM is fired at them, they have little chance of survival. You can’t just toss a SAM away, not even with some fancy maneuvers. Such sharp maneuvers are beyond the capabilities of a commercial airliner. The sad truth is that these missiles often get into the hands of terrorists and are used in violent conflicts.
Functionality of the Missile Defense System
Elbit claims that their C-MUSIC is a Direct Infra-Red Counter Measure Protection for big jet aircraft like passenger planes. It’s a shield against preemptive heat-seeking SAMs. Protection against missiles is provided by this single pod located on the fuselage, which uses cutting-edge detection and jamming technology. This cutting-edge equipment, which also defends against MANPADS (Man Portable Air Defense Systems), is being retrofitted onto El Al’s planes at present.
Israel started equipping El Al passenger planes with anti-missile equipment in 2004. Flight Guard is the name for this. The Israelis devised this mechanism, which adds $1 million to the price tag of each plane. A Doppler radar system equipped with antennas allowing for all-around aircraft coverage makes this possible. Invisible flares are fired within seconds of a missile being seen in order to throw it off course. Arkia and Israir, two more Israeli airlines, also utilize Flight Guard now.
In addition to these safety precautions,
El Al uses Sky Marshalls, who are on its planes. It’s a group of operatives who disguise themselves as passengers and travel with firearms in tow. Also, El Al employs mostly former Israeli Air Force pilots.
El Al planes has two doors leading to the cockpit to keep out intruders. In order to get access to the pilot’s seat, a secret password must be entered. When a member of the flight crew passes through the first barrier, the captain or first officer must verify their identity. In this case, the first door must be closed in order for the second to be opened. In addition, doors made of reinforced steel are installed to divide the cabin from the hold.
Because of this, El Al is often regarded as the safest airline in the world. Although many have tried, just one El Al flight has ever been hijacked. Fortunately, nobody was killed in the event.
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