Stinger Missiles on 60 minutes!

[Newjetjockey]

Now that we know that Terrorists are trying to smuggle stinger missiles into the US what are we doing about it? NOTHING!

WTF? Does this scare the sht out of anyone else?

I thought TSA was getting on this but 60 Minutes said it could take a couple of years to even award a contract. If you ask me its just a matter of time. Hopefully it won't be a coordinated attack like Sept 11th.

Write to your union and government officials. Tell them to get the ball rolling on this one. Please.

 

[airgator]

What the hell is the TSA gonna do about some guy in his back yard with a stinger?

 

[B190Captain]

What the hell is the TSA gonna do about some guy in his back yard with a stinger?

Ask him to remove his shoes?

 

[Andy Neill]

I didn't see the 60 Minutes piece. If you are referring to the sting with which the US nailed an arms dealer for attempting to sell missiles to undersover agents, I guess you answered your own question. The US is keeping track of those who are willing to make a buck off of terrorism.

If you mean that the piece was on some real terrorists trying to get stuff in, I'll yield the floor.

 

[MooseTrax]

I notice people with experience flying in and amongst this type of threat haven't responded. I personally would be concerned, not worried, but concerned if it were me. I have a fair amount of education and the fact that they say there are a lot unaccounted for is scary(I think CNN said about 750). Maybe it won't happen in the U.S., but don't you think it will greatly impact the flying economy even if it happened outside the country?
Regards,

 

[Newjetjockey]

OK, here is why I'm a little freaked out.

Tell me there is not a major airport that you can't drive and park right underneath the incoming airliners. Tell me you and 5 to 100 of your terrorist buddies can't show up to different major airports around the country in a pickup and start nailing jets on approach or takeoff. If a bunch of nice gentelman living in caves can coordinate Sept 11th, tell me this wouldn't be 10 times easier. Seems to me, the engines on most airliners are pretty dang close to the fuel tanks.


According to 60 minutes there are about a dozen different countries manufacturing these things. All the airliners in America could be outfitted with chaff or even laser deterrents for about $10 Billion. Yes, this is a butt load of money but think what would happen if there was a coordinated attack involving who knows how many aircraft. Israeli aircraft have em why shouldn't we?

I don't know that much about smuggling things into the US but c'mon, how hard could it be? The only reason I said anything about the TSA is because they are taking bids on systems that could be installed on aircraft. This process, if approved could take several years (MINIMUM.) The current administration is not considering including it in the buget because we have already spent too much.

 

[MooseTrax]

newjet,

Interesting numbers you have. I have to agree it is quite a cost, but the alternatives are even more costly. Thank God we have some clever folks out there that can stop smugglers like that clown last week. I think you are also right on with the fact that the engines are close to the fuel tanks, its all about collateral damage.........pretty scary stuff.

Regards,

 

[General Lee]

Relax. The people shooting these are probably not very experienced, and the newer jet engines emit less heat than a fighter with an afterburner. Airport security is better these days, and the only places you might have to worry about the lack of security is overseas. I won't say that it will not happen, but it isn't as likely here in the states. Now, I don't know if that is true in Istanbul.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[MooseTrax]

General Lee,
You ever been through security at the Istanbul airport? It's the only place I have ever seen where you had to go through security just to get in the terminal even if you weren't flying (i.e. picking someone up at the baggage claim) Metal detectors, pat-down search, the works. Then when you go to the gate you have to go through security again, the whole works. The airport itself is quite secure.
Regards,

 

[mach none]

Not to down play this threat, but it has been around for about 20 years. The US media has just now picked up on it.

If you have done any flying in the third world, the threat from the manpads and small arms fire has been real and exciting for some time.

 

[46Driver]

Manpads can home in on the heat of a small helicopter engines, an airliner is not going to be a problem..... Chaff certainly will not do any good against an IR missile, nor will most countermeasures depending on the sophistication of the missile (i.e., if its the latest generation, you might as well get out and run...).
However, what Ivauir said , I concur with. RPG's are cheap and effective. Cheap enough for them to get plenty of practice and powerful enough to knock out armored vehicles. Launch a volley of them from near the approach or departure ends and things will get ugly.

 

[N1atEcon]

Years ago in Africa a Hawker took one up the #2. Now remember that Hawkers are built like tanks, but the crew brought that one back to the airport safe and sound. Minus the # two and some holes in the rudder if I recall correctly. I have flown with some X weapons specialists from the Airforce. Their educated opinion is that theses things are just not built for taking down an airliner. Heat signature, size ect. Plus he said the maintenace required on the older ones is intensive it would make them like firing a model rocket at something if not done properly. But the media loves to cover this B.S. and make a big deal out of it.

 

[WrightAvia]

Airport security is better these days, and the only places you might have to worry about the lack of security is overseas.

Huh?

 

[thebluto]

FLIGHTINFO ISN'T A SECURE NET

Don't mean to be a party-pooper, and maybe I'm off base here. It's great to inform fellow pilots on the threats out there. But, last time I checked flightinfo.com isn't a secure forum.

I just hope a terrorist isn't on here looking for ideas and capabilities of certain missiles and their countermeasures. Sure, all of this knowledge is available through open sources, such as "Aviation LEAK and Space Technology".

But, I just hope threads like this don't make it easy for the Muhammed Attahs out there to find one stop shopping on intel they can use to screw us.

I just want to make sure we're not giving anyone ideas.

Just a thought, throw rocks at will if I'm out to lunch.

 

[YaMama]

You ever been through security at the Istanbul airport? It's the only place I have ever seen where you had to go through security just to get in the terminal even if you weren't flying (i.e. picking someone up at the baggage claim) Metal detectors, pat-down search, the works. Then when you go to the gate you have to go through security again, the whole works.

Yeh, the practice of screening right before boarding is a good idea, IMO (they do it that way in Singapore too). Last time I was in Denver on the other hand - where they practically have a shopping mall in the departure concourse - I was walking around wondering how they could possibly be screening every burrito, newspaper, and beer that comes through the door.

BTW, I don't think the terrorists really need our help to think this stuff up - and nobody's providing the kind of detailed information that would help them get beyond the daydream stage. I vote that it's a net positive for us to be brainstorming about this stuff, and hope that TSA/FBI/CIA/whoever are doing likewise

 

[fokkerjet]

Years ago in Africa a Hawker took one up the #2. Now remember that Hawkers are built like tanks, but the crew brought that one back to the airport safe and sound. Minus the # two and some holes in the rudder if I recall correctly.

From what I recall from that incident, the two missles were air to air, fired by a fighter sent to assassinate some Africian President. Anyways, the first missle hit the engine, but it did not explode, just sheared the engine off the airframe. The second missle "locked on" to that sheared off engine and exploded clear of the Hawker.

 

[HOUMAN]

bluto,
I don't think the "terrorist" suffer from a lack of ingenuity or resourcefulness (i.e. needing ideas from this board). After watching the horror of Sept. 11th, I believe their devious little minds have concocted a slew of scenarios to wreck havoc on us.
On the other hand, maybe the CIA, FBI and others could benefit from the banter displayed on this board. The latest sting operation was nice to see, since the only REAL defense against these guys is a good offense.

 

[CoopDog]

I agree HOUMAN. The more we know about our enemies, the better off we'll be. We can't just stick our heads in the sand and hope for the best.

As some great football coach once said, "The best offense is a great defense." If we know about all the flea flickers and trick plays they have up their sleeve, and keep an eye on the weak side, we should hopefully be able to keep them from scoring, or even crossing the 50 yard line.

(sorry, just getting a little excited about the upcoming NFL season.)

Coop

 

[Newjetjockey]

General,

Airport security has nothing to do with it. All you need is a pickup truck or a wooded area near approach or departure. ATL is a perfect example. There are tons of places to set up camp around loop road.

If you ask me the hawker was pretty dang lucky. An exploding engine next to my fuel tank and shrapnel making holes in my control surfaces are the last thing I need when I go to work.

Don't mean to sound paranoid but I definitley see this as their next move. It's not a matter of if but when. Like I said, it would be a hell of a lot easier to pull off than Sept. 11.

 

[WrightAvia]

Hey bluto...check this out. Every time a "DON"T" person gets on here and says don't talk about this, that and the other thing...it's like I'd just like to flick a booger in his coffee...Thanks for saving us from the terrorists bluto and if you can understand the JIST of the hard core information including blueprints on this link below on how to make a link...then you can understand my irkedness about "shhhhhhh" people pontificating about not discussing what is on the local and national news.

http://www.linuxshell.org/pics/ar15/link/lightning.html

Before you take out yer sheet metal and your dremel tools boy's, you better get real familiar with the Code of Federal Regulations in the title pertaining to BATF.