News news from The Evening Standard
London, Tuesday 12.09.06
Scientists test hijack-proof plane
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Tests have begun on a hijack-proof airliner that will steer clear of tall buildings if taken over by terrorists, according to defence giant BAE Systems.
Scientists are creating a computer system which spots suspicious passenger behaviour and can identify if an intruder is trying to take control.
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There may also be a computer which, through a sophisticated biometric system, can defy a mid-flight takeover by spotting an intruder and guiding the aircraft to the nearest airport.
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I agree with the prior comment (e.g., arm the pilots).
In the US, back before we went collectively nuts, pilots were REQUIRED to be armed when the plane carried the US Mail. Guess that rule was a hang over from the reaction to Jesse James robbing the mail car on a train.
The joke is that rule, like this story of the computer system to “protect” the plane, is locking the barn door after the horse has been stolen. We need to focus on future vulnerabilities; not past failures.
And it has to be simple, idiot-proof measures. Because we know the Universe just produces smarter idiots.
My vision of this system is that the pilot will be over the pond in a jugundo passenger jet with a thousand souls aboard, he gets a paper cut from his sandwich wrap, the system “detects” a stranger at the controls, and “lands” the plane immediately right next to the Titanic. Remember it was pronounced “unsinkable” by the experts; this detection software will be “foolproof” too!
Please I are an injineer of IT system and stuff happens. Let’s not kid ourselves about how things fail. they fail — when we least expect it, at the most inopportune time, and with the most impact. Or at least is seems that way.
KISS and solve future problems; not past ones. imho
Reinke Faces Life 