There is an interesting article in USA TODAY by Fred Bayles on the possible effects a shoulder-fired missile could have on a commercial airliner. The link is:
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...today/11590453 Many years ago, I remember seeing a photograph of a HS-125 VIP executive jet that was hit in Africa by a missile but did not explode (obviously), it only took the right engine off the pylon. Given the incident that happened to the chartered Israeli B-757 some time ago also in Africa and still the uncertain aftermath of TWA-800, this a most interesting subject as it looks like the prefered method the crazy terrorists of this world are looking at to down our beautiful flying machines. Some VIP aircraft are equipped with flares to confuse the incoming heat seeking missiles but it is an expensive and commercialy unviable solution. Care to comment?