Aircraft Survivability: Survivability Against Man Portable Air Defense Systems, Summer 2005

摘要

Shoulder-launched missiles, also known as Man-Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS), have become a significant threat to civil and military aviation. Because of predictable flight paths, slow speed, and high Infrared (IR) signatures, large aircraft are particularly at risk during takeoff and landing. Encounters with MANPADS threats in Mombassa, Kenya (2002), and Iraq (2003 and 2004) have highlighted the need to assess large aircraft survivability and methods to mitigate MANPADS damage. The Large Aircraft Survivability Initiative (LASI) is an Air Force initiative that encourages government and industry collaboration to improve commercial and heavy military aircraft survivability to MANPADS and other threats. The LASI team consists of the Air Force 46th Test Wing, NASA, and a number of industry partners.