Q. What is Vigilant Eagle and how does it work?

A. Developed by Raytheon, Vigilant Eagle provides an invisible dome of protection around airports or airfields, offering all aircraft – international and domestic commercial flights as well as military and private planes – protection from present day threats including terrorist surface-to-air missiles such as MANPADS (Man-Portable Air-Defense System). Vigilant Eagle aims a focused, precisely-steered beam of electromagnetic energy at an enemy missile, diverting the threat away from the targeted aircraft.

Q. Cost of an attack?

A. Let’s use Memphis, Tennessee as an example. The cost of an operational shut down at that airport down for four hours is an estimated $40 million. That would have an estimated $10 billion impact on the U.S. economy and an estimated $300 billion impact globally.

Q. There has been lots of talk about air-based solutions. Why has Raytheon developed a ground-based system? What's the advantage?

A. Raytheon’s Vigilant Eagle Airport Protection System is a much more affordable solution. Deploying Vigilant Eagle would cost an estimated $1.6 billion to protect 70% of U.S. air traffic. It would cost an estimated $34 billion to protect 70% of U.S. air traffic with an aircraft solution.

Q. Is Vigilant Eagle safe?

A. Yes. Repeated tests prove it does not interfere with aircraft avionics or other airport systems. It also poses no health hazards.

Q. Where are we in Vigilant Eagle's development?

A. Vigilant Eagle is nearing the end of a U.S. Department of Homeland Security demonstration contract. DHS will analyze the data from Vigilant Eagle testing and determine next steps for the system. Logical next steps would include testing of the entire system at one or more airports.