Missile Defensive Systems and the Civil Reserve Air Fleet

This paper examines the impact on military operations of the growing threat to commercial aircraft. The author reviews military use of commercial aircraft through both contracting and the civil reserve air fleet as well as the specific threat of the man-portable air defense system. Next, he summarizes the steps necessary to defend these aircraft in both a commercial airliner role and military support role. Finally, the author presents multiple options for defending the commercial aircraft fleet from future attacks.