2007年VOA标准英语-Research underway to Protect Airliners from Mis

By Paul Sisco
Washington, DC
17 January 2007
 
watch Aircraft Protection report

The U.S. government is attempting to address concerns that civilian¹ aircraft are vulnerable to shoulder fired surface-to-air missiles. So it is testing a new anti-missile defense² for commercial aircraft. 

The threat did not begin with the events of September 11th, 2001. But those tragic³ acts of terrorism certainly heightened concerns that civilian aircraft is vulnerable to missile attacks.

To address those concerns, Los Angeles Airport is now doubling as a test center.  Defense contractor⁴ Northrop Grumman is testing its anti-missile technology on commercial aircraft.

"MANPADS," or small surface-to-air missiles that are easily launched by one person, are the concern.

Aircraft protection shown in a simulated missile attack

Two missiles targeted an Israeli jet in Mombasa, Kenya in 2002, but missed. And U.S. government and defense industry analysts⁵ say that world-wide terrorists have fired on at least 29 civilian planes with surface-to-air missiles since the 1970s.

For now, Northrop is equipping 11 Federal Express jets with its 'Guardian⁶' anti-missile pods.The pods have sensors⁷ to spot and track incoming missiles and lasers to disable them. 

Northrop Grumman's Jack⁸ Pledger explains, "When the system locks on the missile it fires a very intense laser beam of infrared⁹ energy at the missile and knocks it off course."

The system is automatic. There is nothing for the crew to do. Pledger adds, "Before this, these systems were only used on military aircraft. We are going to operate in the commercial environment. We're going to see how this concept works in a commercial operation and we're going to gather data on the system."

Senator Barbara Boxer¹⁰ of California expresses her hope for success, "We are very hopeful that this will prove successful, - that it will prove affordable…."

The system costs between one and three million dollars per aircraft. The U.S. Congress is considering legislation that calls for installation of the system in all commercial aircraft.

1 civilian   

adj.平民的，民用的，民众的

参考例句：

• There is no reliable information about civilian casualties.关于平民的伤亡还没有确凿的信息。
• He resigned his commission to take up a civilian job.他辞去军职而从事平民工作。

2 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

3 tragic   

adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的

参考例句：

• The effect of the pollution on the beaches is absolutely tragic.污染海滩后果可悲。
• Charles was a man doomed to tragic issues.查理是个注定不得善终的人。

4 contractor   

n.订约人，承包人，收缩肌

参考例句：

• The Tokyo contractor was asked to kick $ 6000 back as commission.那个东京的承包商被要求退还6000美元作为佣金。
• The style of house the contractor builds depends partly on the lay of the land.承包商所建房屋的式样，有几分要看地势而定。

5 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

6 guardian   

n.监护人；守卫者，保护者

参考例句：

• The form must be signed by the child's parents or guardian. 这张表格须由孩子的家长或监护人签字。
• The press is a guardian of the public weal. 报刊是公共福利的卫护者。

7 sensors   

n.传感器，灵敏元件( sensor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• There were more than 2000 sensors here. 这里装有两千多个灵敏元件。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Significant changes have been noted where sensors were exposed to trichloride. 当传感器暴露在三氯化物中时，有很大变化。 来自辞典例句

8 jack   

n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克

参考例句：

• I am looking for the headphone jack.我正在找寻头戴式耳机插孔。
• He lifted the car with a jack to change the flat tyre.他用千斤顶把车顶起来换下瘪轮胎。

9 infrared   

adj./n.红外线(的)

参考例句：

• Infrared is widely used in industry and medical science.红外线广泛应用于工业和医学科学。
• Infrared radiation has wavelengths longer than those of visible light.红外辐射的波长比可见光的波长长。

10 boxer   

n.制箱者，拳击手

参考例句：

• The boxer gave his opponent a punch on the nose.这个拳击手朝他对手的鼻子上猛击一拳。
• He moved lightly on his toes like a boxer.他像拳击手一样踮着脚轻盈移动。