By ANN Correspondent Rob Milford

In the last 764 days, since the world of aviation changed forever, there has been a great deal more attention paid to the real and scary possibility that someone may try to shoot down your aircraft.

We're not talking a couple of cases of RPG's at your Blackhawk in Mogidishiu, Somalia. We're talking about a man-portable surface to air missile. Think about a SA-7 "Grail" like the one I found in a stolen pickup truck in the desert west of Basra, Iraq on March 21st.

Then, someone taking potshots in Africa at an El-Al flight, in Saudi Arabia and at Air Force transports targeted as they depart Baghdad International. That's the reason that scheduled service hasn't resumed, even though the statue of Saddam came down 6 months ago!

If you didn't get a chance to visit the Gulfstream exhibit, the static display at Orlando Executive Airport, and walk out of the hospitality chalet on the red carpet, the very first thing you would have seen could well save your life, or your Gulfstream aircraft.

It's a self-defense system to protect you from missiles.

That's where the R&D folks at BAe Systems come in to the game, having developed the "Matador" defense system, now being marketed by Gulfstream.

"This infrared countermeasure system has been shown for the last couple of years, and in development since 1997" says Dobie Gilfillan, a Gulfstream program manager based in Savannah. "But, like armored cockpit doors, sitting on the shelf for years, no one needed them until it was mandated."

He won't speculate the "if" or "when" of that possibility.

"Gulfstream is the only manufacturer that offers a system for self-defense" he says, and adds "This can be installed on a new or late model Gulfstream in about a month, with a four month lead time for ordering the equipment."

Gilfillan says, without comment "There has been a lot of interest in the product." While his business card lists him as a "Program Manager" the company literature elaborates, showing IRCM in front of that title, with the letters standing for "InfraRed Counter-Measures"

The Matador works by emitting pulsed radiation from a tail mounted transmitter, that throws off Infrared or heat-seeking missiles, and also emits multiple jamming codes that can scramble a missiles guidance system, or not even allow for target acquisition. The unit works against Band I, II and III I.R. missile threats.

"Gulfstream is the only company that has an STC on the product" says Gilfillan "And it is both unclassified and FAA certified."

The unit adds about 300 pounds to the weight of the aircraft, and takes some space in the aft luggage compartment, but doesn't affect flight characteristics, or alter the aesthetics of the aircraft. In fact, the unit in the luggage compartment can be removed when flying to what are now termed "non-hostile" areas.

While network TV news stories ballyhoo a missile defense system be installed on every commercial aircraft now flying, at a staggering cost for the entire passenger fleet, the Matador sells for $2.2 million, but some would suggest the peace of mind, could well be priceless.

FMI: www.gulfstream.com