STATEMENT OF CAPTAIN HENRY P. KRAKOWSKI
VICE PRESIDENT - SAFETY, SECURITY & QUALITY ASSURANCE
UNITED AIRLINES
BEFORE THE HOUSE AVIATION SUBCOMMITTEE
MAY 2, 2002
Chairman Mica, Ranking Member Lipinski and other Members of the Subcommittee, on behalf of United Airlines thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony concerning safe and secure cockpits. United Airlines enjoys a history and reputation of leadership in aviation safety and security initiatives. We believe our decision to acquire and train our crewmembers with the ADVANCED TASER M26 weapon represents such innovation and initiative. The purpose of this submission is to describe why we chose the ADVANCED TASER project as part of our overall security enhancement, and to urge the DOT, TSA and FAA to give serious consideration to approving it's certification.
Immediately after September 11th, United and the industry focused on cockpit security including reinforcing the cockpit door, re-evaluating onboard procedures as well as researching various ways to stop an aggressor. There was an immediate call for arming pilots and while attractive at first, the more we as an airline thought through the ramifications we felt compelled to explore what non-lethal options might be available. We looked at everything from chemical sprays and sticky foam to collapsible batons as well as the ADVANCED TASER itself. Since we knew the firearm issue would be controversial, take time to study and create other safety concerns, we were convinced that the ADVANCED TASER represented the best overall solution as part of a comprehensive security-training program. We have chosen to purchase (2) ADVANCED TASERs for each airplane and propose to deploy them strictly for use in defending the cockpit. They would not be deployed in the passenger cabin.
TASER stands for Thomas A. Swifts Electrical Rifle. The ADVANCED TASER M26 is third generation technology that resembles a handgun. It can be used two ways - the first by shooting two probes up to 21 feet into the attacker administering a 26-Watt cycle of electricity. This powerful electrical current causes electro-muscular disruption - incapacitating even the most motivated subjects. The second method is it's powerful touch stun effect. Simply holding the muzzle of the ADVANCED TASER against the subject like a conventional stun gun. This effect is considered non-lethal and is safe for use on people even with pacemakers.
There are two air cartridges per ADVANCED TASER allowing up to four firings with probes and the batteries provide up to 120 5-second cycles in succession. If shot into any part of the body, the person is immediately disabled during the electrical cycle while the attacker loses voluntary motor-muscle control.
The weapon has the unique advantage of effectively stopping an attacker without being life threatening, if fired into the wrong person, fellow crewmember or even critical instrumentation. This is one of our primary concerns in the cramped and restricted cockpit environment with people in close proximity to each other. Since airline crew are now trained and passengers are willing to physically get involved and stop an attacker, this non-lethal capability provides a unique level of safety for those very people who are assisting in the response. We believe the non-lethal concept also addresses the crossfire threat to armed Federal Air Marshals and other Law Enforcement personnel who may respond to an onboard threat. We have a recent example of how the ADVANCED TASER could have been effective had it been available.
Since September 11th, there have been two physical attempts to gain entry to a cockpit, both by mentally unstable passengers - not terrorists. On February 6th of this year United flight 855 from Miami to Buenos Aries was one of these attempts. Even with the door bar installed, a passenger was able to compromise the cockpit door and began to crawl on the floor into the cockpit. One of the pilots had to get up out of his seat and use the crash axe to defend the cockpit. Because of the position of the attacker, our pilot had to be very careful not to hit himself, the other pilot or hit vital control panels in the cockpit with the fire axe. Therefore, he was not able to use the axe effectively and never fully subdued the attacker. Passengers and other crewmembers came to the rescue and pulled the attacker away from the door. This is an important point. Crewmembers and passengers in the cabin began to swarm around the attacker about the time the axe was being used. A TASER weapon would have done a number of things. First, both pilots could have stayed at their control stations, which would have allowed control of the aircraft even if one of the pilots, were disabled. If used as trained, the ADVANCED TASER would have immediately immobilized the attacker without fatally endangering others who were trying to help. In this case, the shot would have been towards the floor. A standard firearm being aimed in this manner might have shot through the cockpit floor into the electronics bay underneath the airplane or worse ricocheted into the passenger cabin itself. Certainly, the ADVANCED TASER would have been an improvement over the medieval tool used by our pilot that evening.
Conceptually, the use of non-lethal or even lethal weapons would only occur if the airplane itself were in jeopardy, presumably by terrorists. Yet to fully understand the safety implications of installing any of these weapons, we must fully consider the possibility of 1) accidental discharge (current statistics from large U.S. Police departments indicate every year there is 1 out of 1000 firearms that are accidentally discharged - and this is by trained law enforcement officers who carry these weapons on a daily basis); 2) The weapon being taken away from the crew member and used to create a hostage situation using the weapon to gain compliance or; 3) A mistake -- a fellow crew member or innocent passenger or helper is shot in the "heat" of battle in the confined cockpit area. This would include the concern for the effect of the weapon system on aircraft structures , electronics or "fly by wire" flight control systems.
Concerning the aircraft, United has a reputation of having a world-class engineering department and we tasked them to evaluate the safety of the ADVANCED TASER. We have included a summary of the report in our submission, and have provided the full report to the TSA and Federal Air Marshal service. We test fired the ADVANCED TASER into live cockpits, control panels and electrical panels and accomplished various tests on of every aircraft type we fly. We also did extensive flight-testing with an Airbus A319, the most sophisticated electronic airplane in our fleet. In short, the ADVANCED TASER passed with flying colors and the opinion of analysts is that, "Engineering believes the M26 to be suitable for use in an emergency situation on commercial aircraft with no effect on airworthiness of the aircraft."
Aviation is an intensely human enterprise and as such, human factors continue to be the primary reason for loss of life and property. In this context, whatever steps are taken to enhance airline safety and security must consider the likelihood and severity of any safety threat versus the unintended consequences of mitigating that threat. Certainly, there are both advantages and limitations to any weapon and this is true for both firearms and TASERs. Sound procedures and training is key to effective use.
Our proposed deployment would make the ADVANCED TASER an actual piece of aircraft equipment, similar to an onboard fire extinguisher. Rather than issue the weapon individually and have the crew carry it on and off the airplanes, through checkpoints, to and from layovers - we will have the TASERs locked in a combination-controlled box in each cockpit. Prior to each flight the two TASERs would be removed from the box and holstered next to each pilot for rapid use. There are strict control and accountability procedures for maintaining and pre-flighting the weapon. Any use, intended or unintended would be scrutinized by a "firing board" using our Flight Safety Investigation protocol. Our proposal of "federalizing" the weapons as aircraft equipment addresses jurisdictional issues in states and countries where TASERs or other weaponry are illegal. We have specific and confidential tactics developed with expert consultants who served with the US Secret Service. With this training and these tactics, we believe we have the ability to stop multiple terrorists attempting a cockpit takeover.
United's training is very specific - the ADVANCED TASER is used to disable the attacker so they can be easily immobilized with various traditional restraint devices like handcuffs. Unlike firearms, one aspect of the ADVANCED TASER that is particularly attractive is the ability for every pilot to easily train and qualify on its use. Our experience of training 7000 of our 9500 pilots thus far confirms this. Of some surprise and affirmation, we are finding overwhelming approval of both the security training itself with a 97% approval rating, as well as the use of the ADVANCED TASER by our pilots, many of who have changed their opinion from that of the firearms option. This is especially true of those 74 of our pilots who volunteered to be shot with TASER. All were immediately disabled, suffer no residual issues and universally do not want to experience this again. Moreover, the pilots who have never fired a gun before are impressed with the ease of using the ADVANCED TASER as they have no recoil when fired. Of the 6+ hours of training, only the last 2-hours concerns the ADVANCED TASER. This is important in that the TASER represents only a part of the procedures we are using to stop aggression on our airplanes, using coordinated procedures with defined levels of threat and response. Moreover, with TASERs, every pilot will be on the same page in terms of expectation and coordination of a response threat. We have concerns that a small minority of pilots with weapons might destabilize the execution of a crew-coordinated response.
United also believes that, while the FAA/TSA mandated fortress doors are a long overdue improvement in cockpit security, the need for some additional protection in the form of a physical secondary barrier or secondary barrier procedures would be appropriate and should continue to be evaluated. Pilots have to eat and take physical breaks. During these times, the strongest door is no protection when it is open. Our new security training accounts for this with the ADVANCED TASER being an integral part of threat mitigation during these times.
Three other domestic airlines have decided to move forward with the ADVANCED TASER, American Trans Air and Mesa Airlines. Korean Airlines and two other international carriers have them in use today. In fact, the U.S. Air Force in providing onboard security during the Afghan detainee transfer to Guantanimo Bay, Cuba used the ADVANCED TASER. It is widely used by law enforcement, prison security and for personal protection.
The country and industry is already funding the development of multiple layers of security including enhanced passenger screening, baggage scanning, physical airport security and a welcome increase of the Federal Air Marshal presence on our airplanes. Adding a layer of cockpit weapons must be considered as an integral part of the increased layers of security already being planned, deployed and funded.
Mr. Chairman, I can assure everyone here that United Airlines would never consider any approach that would lessen overall safety to our passengers and employees. We have full confidence in our belief that, together with effective crew training and procedures, the ADVANCED TASER represents a balanced solution that would be present in every United cockpit. The airline stands ready to work with the FAA, TSA or any governmental agency to demonstrate the soundness of our approach, and we would welcome any agency that would want to observe our training and deployment in person.
United Airlines - TASER M26 Engineering Testing Results
(Excerpts from Master Report)
B777 ground test - passed all testing
B747 ground test - passed all testing
B737 ground test - passed all testing
B757 - B767 ground test - passed all testing
A320 / A319 ground test - passed all testing
A320 / A319 flight test - passed all testing
The crew monitored all aircraft systems and indications during the flight. No abnormalities were noted. A post flight maintenance report, that provided the status of the aircraft, was printed. No problems attributed to the operation of the Taser were noted.
Flight Deck Component Testing - passed all tests, no permanent failure modes
This testing was conducted
to record the effects of an accidental discharge of the Taser into the flight
deck component. This is to support the
analysis that was accomplished. The
likelihood of this occurring is extremely low.
The testing included panels and instruments (such as the IDUs and
overhead instrument panels) that are positioned such that the potential for a
probe to contact and remain in place to allow a discharge is extremely
remote. None of the system effects
noted would compromise the ability of the crew to continue to safely control
the aircraft.
Ground and Laboratory Testing of M26 Advanced Taser
The M26 Advanced Taser exceeded the allowable levels of
RTCA DO-160D for Category M devices in laboratory testing, but proved to have
negligible effect on electrical and electronic equipment during aircraft
testing. (Only one instance of a slight
popping was heard on various VHF Comm frequencies on the A320.) Accidental discharge of the Taser across or
through the flight deck components does not result in significant damage or
loss of function of these systems. With the positive results of the
aforementioned tests, and given the severity of events leading to an actual
in-service use of the device and potential ramifications of those events,
Engineering believes the M26 to be suitable for use in an emergency situation
on commercial aircraft with no effect on airworthiness of the aircraft.
ADVANCED TASERÒ SUMMARY WITH Q&As
Synopsis: The ADVANCED TASERÒ M26 is the only less-lethal weapon that can stop a truly aggressive, focused, combat trained attacker.
Time to Complete Incapacitation: 0.25 seconds.
Range: 21 feet police, 15 feet commercial
Method of Incapacitation: Electro-physical, involuntary contraction of skeletal muscle tissue. Overrides the motor nervous system, blocking command & control of the human body. Existing stun systems stimulate sensory neurons and can be over-ridden by a focused individual. The ADVANCED TASER directly stimulates motor nerve and muscle tissue, causing incapacitation regardless of mental focus, training, size, or drug induced dementia.
Long-term injuries: None.
Short term injuries: Minor skin irritation.
Data Port System:
· The M26's on-board memory can download the time and date of its most recent 585 to protect officers from unfounded charges of misuse of force.
· The M26 is available with an option to remotely fire the Air Cartridge from underneath a rifle, robot, tactical mirror on a pole, camera, etc.
Sighting System:
· Ergonomic design tested by over 1,000 law enforcement trainers. Average distance from aim point (without using physical sight) was less than 1.5 inches.
· Physical sight on top of weapon for optical alignment. (Front sight post and rear sight posts.)
· Built-in laser sighting
Power Supply: AA Nickel-Metal Hydride batteries 1.2 Volts
AA Alkaline (DuracellÒ Ultra) batteries 1.5 Volts
Air Cartridge: Compressed nitrogen (1800 lb./in2).
Cartridge Shelf life: 5 years.
Weight: 18
ounces. including batteries and Air Cartridge
Energy: Power:
26 Watts; Per Pulse: 1.76 Joules; and
Amps: 162mA Irms
Training: The ADVANCED TASER uses the same hand motions and muscle memory as standard semi-automatic pistols, drastically reducing the amount of time required to train and increasing accuracy under stress. Recommended user training is 4 hours, instructor training is 8 hours.
HOW DOES AN ADVANCED TASER WORK? Upon firing, compressed nitrogen projects two ADVANCED TASERÒ probes 15 or 21 feet (depending on cartridge) at a speed of 180 feet per second. The probes are connected by thin insulated wire back to the M26. An electrical signal transmits throughout the region where the probes make contact with the body or clothing. The result is an instant loss of the attacker's neuromuscular control and any ability to perform coordinated action. ADVANCED TASER uses an automatic timing mechanism to apply the electric charge for 5 seconds.
HOW CAN THE ADVANCED TASER BE SO
EFFECTIVE YET NON-INJURIOUS?
The ADVANCED TASER does not depend upon impact or body penetration to
achieve its effect. Its pulsating
electrical output interferes with communication between the brain and the
muscular system, resulting in loss of control.
However, the ADVANCED TASER is non-destructive to nerves, muscles and
other body elements. It simply affects
them in their natural mode. More
importantly, no deaths have ever been directly attributed to the TASERÒ.
DOES THE TASER AFFECT THE HEART OR A CARDIAC PACEMAKER? The ADVANCED TASER's output is well below the level established as "safe" by the federal government in approving such devices as the electrified cattle fence. In a medical study, Dr. Robert Stratbucker tested the M26 at the University of Missouri and confirmed that the T-Wave does not interrupt the heartbeat or damage a pacemaker. Any modern pacemaker is designed to withstand electrical defibrillator pulses that are hundreds of times stronger than the ADVANCED TASER's output. The ADVANCED TASER current of 1.76 Joules is well below the 10-50 joule threshold above which cardiac ventricular fibrillation can occur.
ISN'T HIGH VOLTAGE LETHAL? High voltage, in itself, is not dangerous. One can receive a 25,000-volt shock of static electricity from a doorknob on a dry day without harm. The physiological effect of electrical shock is determined by: the current, its duration, and the power source that produces the shock. The typical household current of 110 volts is dangerous because it can pump many amperes of current throughout the body indefinitely. By contrast, the ADVANCED TASER power supply consists of 8 AA alkaline 1.5-Volt batteries capable of supplying 26 Watts of electrical power for a few seconds.
WILL THE TASER CAUSE ELECTROCUTION? No. The output is metered by the electronics and the electrical energy in each pulse is always the same, regardless of the target condition. The electrical output will not be transferred from one person to another even if they touch. Over 1,000 individuals have personally tested the ADVANCED TASER.
WHAT ARE THE AFTEREFFECTS? A person hit with an ADVANCED TASER will feel dazed for several seconds. Recovery is fast and the effects stop the very instant that the M26 shuts off. Some will experience critical response amnesia and others will experience tingling sensations afterwards. The pulsating electrical output causes involuntary muscle contractions and a resulting sense of vertigo. It can momentarily stun or render immobilized. Yet, the ADVANCED TASER's low electrical amperage and short duration of pulsating current, ensures a non-lethal charge. Moreover, it does not cause permanent damage or long-term aftereffects to muscles, nerves or other body functions. A January 1987 Annals of Emergency Medicine study reported that similar TASER technology leaves no long term injuries compared with 50% long term injuries for gun shot injuries.
MUST THE PROBES PENETRATE THE BODY TO BE EFFECTIVE? No. The electrical current will "jump" up to two inches as long as both probes are attached to clothing or skin. At most, only the 3/8-inch needlepoint will penetrate the skin. They have less energy than a spring propelled BB. Both probes need to contact the body or else contact clothing and be within two inches of the body to stop an attacker.
WHAT IF THE PROBES MISS? The ADVANCED TASER can work if one probe hits a human and the second falls on grass or dirt as the power grounds. However, the results depreciate substantially if the second probe lands on concrete, asphalt or not all on wood floors. Otherwise, the M26 can be used in a touch-stun mode. The user is thus provided with two backups. A secondary Air Cartridge is available that holds a backup cartridge below the ADVANCED TASER's handgrip. A final backup if the probes miss the target is the touch stun feature. Should the user miss or engage a second attacker, the ADVANCED TASER can applied directly to the target and it will work like a powerful touch-stun device.
CAN THE ADVANCED TASER CAUSE FIRE? The ADVANCED TASER will not ignite standard solids or even black gunpowder. However, the spark from an ADVANCED TASER can ignite some flammable liquids, vapors, meth labs or sensitive explosives. The ADVANCED TASER should not be used anywhere that cigarettes are forbidden for fire safety reasons. The ADVANCED TASER should never be used on anyone who has been sprayed with an alcohol based chemical spray - including some alcohol based pepper sprays -- which could ignite.
WHAT ABOUT THE POTENTIAL OF EYE INJURY FROM THE ADVANCED TASER? The ADVANCED TASER should always be aimed at the attacker's chest or back, since both probes need to hit some part of the body to be effective. The torso provides the largest surface area to hit. The ADVANCED TASER should never be aimed toward an attacker's face. This is a serious self-defense device and should be treated as such. Moreover, putting any sharp object into an eye is potentially dangerous to the cornea.
HOW WILL THE ADVANCED TASER PREVENT CRIMINAL USE? Our mission is to ensure technology can play a positive role in our society. To that end, an Anti-Felon Identification (AFID) system is used so criminal use of the ADVANCED TASER can be traced from evidence dispersed by the device itself to provide the exact identification of the Air Cartridge purchaser. No other self-protection device in the world -- guns, chemical and pepper sprays, touch-stun devices or batons -- can be traced from evidence at the scene of the crime directly to the registration of the user.
WILL THE PROBES STICK TO BULLETPROOF VESTS? Some bulletproof vests are made specifically to stop only bullets and gun shot projectiles -- not knives or sharp devices such as syringe needles. Should the probes attach to clothing in front of the soft body armor, the T-Wave can penetrate some of these vests with near full-effect. Although most bulletproof vests are made to stop bullets, the vests are porous and will not stop the flow of electrons. A bulletproof jacket with metal shock plates can cause the probes to bounce off the target. However, some companies have reported that there is soft body armor that has filled the porous material with rubber and/or plastics, which may prevent the T-Wave from penetrating the body armor. TwaronÒ is difficult for the TASER-Wave to pass through in bulk.
WHAT IS THE BEST-SHOT AT MAXIMUM RANGE? As long as the spread of the probes is at least four inches, the ADVANCED TASER will be extremely effective. To ensure that the spread is greater than four inches, the ADVANCED TASER should be fired at a target several feet away. The optimum shot is from seven to ten feet away form the target to achieve maximum effect using a 15-foot cartridge and 12-18 for a 21-foot cartridge.
DOES TEMPERATURE HAVE A DETRIMENTAL EFFECT ON THE ADVANCED TASER? Yes. The weakness to the system is not the ADVANCED TASER. The batteries limit the effectiveness in cold and extremely hot temperatures. Alkaline batteries perform poorly at freezing temperatures. However, Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) rechargeable batteries can be substituted in a freezing climate, as their performances are better suited in colder climates. The heat issue is only an issue if the ADVANCED TASER were left sitting in the sun, once again adversely affecting the batteries. As for the Air Cartridge, it utilizes compressed nitrogen (an inert gas). The ADVANCED TASER compressed air capsules have successfully held their charges at temperatures of minus 20º F and up to 160º F. Moreover, altitude will not adversely effect the firing of an ADVANCED TASER. In addition, the temperature will not effect the T-Wave. However, as with any product containing polycarbonates and other thermoplastics, the ADVANCED TASER and Air Cartridges should never be left in direct sunlight.
SUMMARY POINTS:
· Truly incapacitating: This less-lethal system is solely designed to stop the most hardened of targets: extremely violent, aggressive, goal-oriented and drug induced suspects.
· It can't kill or maim innocent bystanders, damage buildings or aircraft fuselages with stray bullets.
· Won't damage buildings or aircraft: It is a defensive device and can't penetrate walls, doors or glass.
· It is far more effective than other less-lethal self-defense devices, such as pepper sprays or beanbag weapons -- no cross-contamination or blunt instrument damage inflicted.
· It uses the same muscle memory as that of a firearm for police under stress. The ADVANCED TASER records the last 585 firings to protect law enforcement from false allegations of misuse.
· Training is simple and the learning curve is relatively flat - critical in training multiple users
· The ADVANCED TASER is 26 Watts. Its amperage is 0.162 - not enough to cause damage to the human body. It is 50,000 Volts.
· Effective against most conventional body armor and other counter-measures.
· The stun gun backup does not make this a one-shot only device.
· Lifetime Warranty.
· It will not cause a heart attack or damage a pacemaker; will not cause electrocution, even if target is standing in water.
· It will not cause urination or defecation.
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