Endless Frontier

Hubby is a frequent traveler, and every time he travels, of course there is that extra concern for his and the whole aircraft’s boarders’ safety. But it seems we will have less worries soon, for up to three American Airlines jets will be outfitted this spring with laser technology being developed to protect planes from missiles fired by terrorists. The anti-missile technology was developed for military planes, and U.K.-based BAE Systems PLC said Friday it won a $29 million contract from the Department of Homeland Security to test it on passenger planes, but not on regular flights. The technology is intended to stop a missile attack by detecting heat from the rocket, then responding in a fraction of a second by firing a laser beam that jams the missile’s guidance system.