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Posted by pjwalker911
The Sunday
Times
September
10, 2006
Peter
Almond
Microphones will eavesdrop on passengers’ conversations while
computerised CCTV detects suspicious movements. This involves monitoring every
passenger with hidden cameras and microphones. It may alarm businessmen wanting
to talk in confidence or passengers concerned at infringement of privacy.
The
data are recorded for immediate on-board analysis — picking up suspicious
activities such as taking an unusually large number of items to the lavatory or
walking repeatedly around the cabin. The developers have not yet decided whether
to put monitoring equipments inside lavatories, a question that is likely to
prove highly contentious.
TRIALS have begun on the first “hijack-proof” airliner, which will be
able to steer itself away from tall buildings and even land by remote control if
terrorists kill the pilot. Microphones will eavesdrop on passengers’
conversations while computerised CCTV detects suspicious movements so that
hijackers can be caught before they go into action. The plans, being developed
by a consortium including BAE Systems, Airbus and the European commission, are
designed to counter terrorists who succeed in slipping through airport security.
New cockpit doors, in addition to being strengthened, are likely to be
controlled using biometric technology — which scans irises and fingerprints — so
only authorised crew can gain access. There will also be biometric sensors
fitted to cockpit instruments so that if — as in the 9/11 attacks — a terrorist
kills the pilot, the plane’s controls can be overridden. A computer would then
prevent the plane being taken off its pre-determined course and allow ground
controllers, by remote control, to land the aircraft safely at a nearby airport.
The most controversial part of the technology is likely to be the on-board
threat detection system tested last month. This involves monitoring every
passenger with hidden cameras and microphones. It may alarm businessmen wanting
to talk in confidence or passengers concerned at infringement of privacy. The
data are recorded for immediate on-board analysis — picking up suspicious
activities such as taking an unusually large number of items to the lavatory or
walking repeatedly around the cabin. The developers have not yet decided whether
to put monitoring equipments inside lavatories, a question that is likely to
prove highly contentious.
timesonline.co.uk
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