FAA halts FedEx DIRCM plans

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has withdrawn proposed conditions that could have allowed FedEx Express to equip Airbus A321P2Fs with directional infra-red countermeasures (DIRCM) systems. Had the freight airline receive approval, the modified jets and their crews would be protected from infra-red homing, or ‘heat-seeking’ missiles such as man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS). The regulatory body advised that it had “determined further internal study” was “necessary” and, keen to avoid further confusion, initiated a “comment period on a proposal