Tel Aviv: Israeli company BIRD Aerosystems, has successfully obtained Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval for the installation of its Airborne Missile Protection System (AMPS) incorporating the SPREOS DIRCM on Head-of-State aircraft. This certification enables Airbus A319 aircraft, already equipped with BIRD’s system, to operate worldwide with full regulatory compliance.
The Israeli Civil Aviation Authority (CAAI) oversaw and validated the entire installation process, including system integration, flight testing, and a successful demonstration proving the system’s safety. BIRD Aerosystems demonstrated exceptional expertise in manufacturing, system design, and installation, meeting all regulatory requirements and passing rigorous evaluations with success.
With this certification, Airbus A319 aircraft equipped with BIRD’s advanced SPREOS DIRCM system are now authorised for unrestricted operation worldwide. This milestone reinforces BIRD Aerosystems’ position as a trusted provider of airborne self-protection solutions for both military and narrow and wide-body commercial aircraft.
Ronen Factor, Co-Chief Executive Officer of BIRD Aerosystems, stated,
“This STC is a significant achievement for BIRD Aerosystems, further validating the safety and effectiveness of our advanced airborne missile protection solutions. The successful integration and approval process highlights our technical expertise and commitment to delivering innovative defence technologies that protect aircraft in high-threat environments. With this certification, our AMPS system, including SPREOS DIRCM, is now available for civil aviation, ensuring maximum security for VVIP and high-value commercial aircraft worldwide.”
The repeated fast proliferation of MANPADS, the deadly shoulder launched missiles worry the security experts of international airlines and airports. The reasons for the growing concern, is explained by experts by the facts that not all airports have the same level of perimeter security.
Sources say that the concern is also shared by operators of business jets used to fly high level politicians around the world.
The illicit acquisition and use of man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS) poses an acute threat to military and civilian aircraft. Since 1970, armed groups have hit dozens of civilian aircraft with MANPADS, killing more than 1,000 civilians.
The international community has taken numerous steps to reduce illicit proliferation, but the MANPADS threat persists, especially in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, which accounted for nearly three-quarters of documented illicit MANPADS activity worldwide from 2011 to 2021.
Illicit MANPADS in the MENA region range from 50-year-old Soviet Strela-2s to recently produced Chinese designed FN-6 and QW-18 pattern systems.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
