Researchers develop software to protect against aircraft hijack attacks

Airline Industry Information, July 3, 2003

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Researchers at the University of California at Berkeley have reportedly devised software which protects cities against attack by hijacked aircraft.

The 'soft walls' system for aircraft's on board computers would stop pilots from flying into protected areas and no-fly zones. The system works by steering the aircraft away from a no-fly zone: for example if a pilot attempts to steer into a zone on the left, the system would counter by banking right gently at first and then becoming more forceful if required.

'Soft walls' relies on the GPS global satellite positioning system and would include an on-board database of GPS coordinates for no-fly zones. If the computer sensed an attempt to block the GPS signals it would switch to another system such as aircraft beacons.

The researchers are said to be working with aircraft manufacturer Boeing to develop the system further, according to Reuters.

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