United Airlines may soon be allowed to deploy electric stun weapons on its aircraft for cockpit defence, following a judgement last week by the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
The TSA says it tested a "James Bond tool kit" of less-than-lethal weapons and concluded most such devices are incompatible with aviation security and/or safety. But in a confidential report submitted to Congress, the agency says electric stun weapons "can contribute to aviation security", adding: "Given the right plan and the right details, stun weapons can be used on commercial aircraft."
The TSA is not endorsing any one kind of stun gun or implementing a wide-scale programme. Instead, it will take individual applications from airlines wanting to deploy stun guns. A carrier must choose a weapon and detail a plan for using it and training crews.
United has had a long-standing application to deploy Advanced Tasers, which shoot electrically charged chords that incapacitate victims. The airline has already spent nearly $1 million on 1,300 Advanced Tasers from Arizona-based Taser International and has trained pilots and flight attendants.
"There are details that need to be finalised and questions that need to be answered," says TSA. "We'd like to move quickly."
Taser International government affairs director Steve Tuttle says the questions deal directly with training, but do not challenge the weapon itself.
Source: Flight International
