A terrorists dream. Thousands of heat seeking shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles are missing from Libya. ABC news reports that there are concerns that some of the thousands of heat-seeking missiles could easily end up in the hands of al Qaeda or other terrorists groups, creating a threat to commercial airliners. (…ya think?)
Not only could this potentially kill thousands, but it would be absolutely devastating to an already teetering US economy. Air travel would never be the same – although it already is far from the same as it once was before 9/11.
The Russian made missiles can lock on to the heat signature from jet engines and are accurate to a range of about 2 miles. A quick mental math calculation indicates that this is a little over 10,000 feet. Although the missiles apparently could not reach passenger jet airliners ‘at altitude’ (because they typically cruise above 30,000 feet), the airliners could be in jeopardy during take-off or landing while gaining or reducing altitude to or from cruising altitude.
I shudder to think about a coordinated attempt within multiple simultaneous regions of city airports at a predetermined time… especially knowing how simple it apparently is to smuggle things across the porous border from Mexico (just look at the drug trade…).
I have had this particular scenario in the back of my mind for many years, wondering if any terroristorganization would attempt such a simple but certainly devastating attack, given enough numbers.
…just thought I would point out the report, which can be read here, Nightmare in Libya: Thousands of Surface-to-Air Missiles Unaccounted For, to keep you on your toes that things such as this are within the realm of possibility.
Of course, we hope NOT, but it is further reason to be reasonably prepared for interruptions from our normal way of life.
Don’t be afraid. Instead, Be Prepared!
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