The Navy is considering a novel way to protect its fighter pilots: firing live shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles at them to train them in evasive action and test aircraft missile warning systems.
The shoulder-fired missiles in the hands of terrorists, criminal and enemy fighters pose a worldwide problem. Insurgents in Iraq during the war posted YouTube videos showing their deadly ability with the weapons against U.S. military helicopters.
The Navy disclosed its intentions earlier this month in a little-noticed request for information. The request asks defense contractors if they can build a "missile surrogate" that would replicate the missile, also known as a Man-Portable Air Defense System.
