The future of this situation?
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Oh I can see the headlines: Broken Windows on Air Force One Lead To Hijacking Reports confirm that a russian hacker has taken control of Air Force One though the much ballyhooed FAA Remote Control software, designed to combat hijackings. Sources say the russian, Boris Linuxlover, used a well known security in Outlook activating an insecure ActiveX component which allows emails to be sent to the FAA Remote Control software. The Russian states he is merely pointing out some security holes, but officials are not amused and want the plane back. *anyone offended by this please realise I am in no way making fun of todays happenings, I just want to make a point that remote control for planes is a bad idea regards, Paul Watson Cape Town, South Africa e: paulmwatson@email.com w: vergen.org
As I think about this, I agree that remote control would be a very scary proposition. However, Cathy's thought may have some merit. A remote controllable "trigger" (which could also be flipped from the plane) could turn on an on-board auto-landing feature to cause the plane to land at the nearest airport. There already exist quite reliable auto-landing setups, so forcing this sort of thing to happen would remove control away from the pilot and hijackers. Hopefully, there would be little to no benefit for a hijacker to _want_ to force the plane to land safely at the nearest airport... Of course, the U.S. is already developing remote control / A.I. drone airplanes. Maybe the do have a secure remote control system. *doubts it* John
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As I think about this, I agree that remote control would be a very scary proposition. However, Cathy's thought may have some merit. A remote controllable "trigger" (which could also be flipped from the plane) could turn on an on-board auto-landing feature to cause the plane to land at the nearest airport. There already exist quite reliable auto-landing setups, so forcing this sort of thing to happen would remove control away from the pilot and hijackers. Hopefully, there would be little to no benefit for a hijacker to _want_ to force the plane to land safely at the nearest airport... Of course, the U.S. is already developing remote control / A.I. drone airplanes. Maybe the do have a secure remote control system. *doubts it* John
John, very good points and ideas. The "remote force landing" idea could be workable, with some development (I don't think that auto-landing is sophisticated enough yet to really avoid other aircraft (on the tarmack or in the air), right?) but it is a step in the right direction. However it must be made *very* public that there are no backdoor methods to stop the landing once it is forced or the terrorists will simply say "stop the landing or we will blow the aircraft up right here and now". As the counter-terrorism forces say "objective one, get the plane on the ground". ..."Of course, the U.S. is already developing remote control / A.I. drone airplanes. Maybe the do have a secure remote control system"... I had not thought of that and I am sure that this is a good area to cross-develop. Heck every thought is productive in this matter. If we find something does not work then we are simply closer to the right answer :) regards, Paul Watson Cape Town, South Africa e: paulmwatson@email.com w: vergen.org
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As I think about this, I agree that remote control would be a very scary proposition. However, Cathy's thought may have some merit. A remote controllable "trigger" (which could also be flipped from the plane) could turn on an on-board auto-landing feature to cause the plane to land at the nearest airport. There already exist quite reliable auto-landing setups, so forcing this sort of thing to happen would remove control away from the pilot and hijackers. Hopefully, there would be little to no benefit for a hijacker to _want_ to force the plane to land safely at the nearest airport... Of course, the U.S. is already developing remote control / A.I. drone airplanes. Maybe the do have a secure remote control system. *doubts it* John
Just saw this article on New Scientist (got it from Wired.com) on auto landing of an airliner. Seems as though the technology is advanced enough. Also other information on other remote control technology being developed. take care. regards, Paul Watson Cape Town, South Africa e: paulmwatson@email.com w: vergen.org