El Al Deploying Anti-Missile Defense on Civilian Plane

El Al is now installing an anti-missle system onto one of its Boeing jets. If it works, the system will be rolled out to six other aircraft, and eventually the entire fleet. The Flight Guard system, developed by Israel Military Industries (IMI) and Elta Systems costs about $1 million per plane. The system sends out flares when it detects an incoming heat-seeking threat. The technology has been used on Israel military planes for a long time. The measure comes after a November 2002 incident in which missiles were fired unsuccessfully at an Arkia plane in Mombasa, Kenya. The flares for the civilian version were redesigned to be both larger and invisible to human eyes in order to prevent panic in cabins if passengers see the outgoing flares. IMI is trying to get FAA permits to allow the product to be used with American carriers as well. Ha'aretz reports.