Airline to test rocket defense

DALLAS — Up to three American Airlines jets will be outfitted this spring with laser technology being developed to protect planes from missiles fired by terrorists.

Officials said Friday the anti-missile systems won’t be tested on passenger flights. But the tests, which could involve more than 1,000 flights, will determine how well the technology holds up under the rigors of flight, they said.

The first Boeing 767-200 will be equipped in April or later, an American spokesman said. American operates that Boeing model mostly between New York and San Francisco and Los Angeles.

The technology is intended to stop a missile attack.