Following the bombing of the Pan Am Flight 103 in 1988 the Transportation Security Laboratories have been developing ways to reduce the damage to an airplane by placing a hardened film around the cargo bay and overhead compartments . They have also changed the shape of the cargo bay to provide more security and to reduce the force of any explosion . To improve the circumstances in a case where an aircraft turbine engine fails , the Federal Aviation Administration ( FAA ) is working to design specific armor to protect the vital parts of the plane to assure safe flying until landing is accomplished . This armored barrier would prevent fragments from engine failure from damaging other sections of the airplane . High strength polymer fibers have been found to be the most effective material for this specific use
Pan Am Flight 103
Pan Am Flight 103
Commercial uses of armor