MYSTIC, Conn., Jan. 28 (UPI) -- The U.S. Air Force announced it has contracted Connecticut-based Flight Safety Technologies Inc. for additional live-fire testing of its air defense system.

FST is a security technology developer for the aviation industry. Its countermeasure initiative, tactical integrated illumination countermeasure man-portable air-defense systems, is an effort to protect airliners against the threat of a potential terrorist missile attack.

The Air Force has scheduled additional live-fire testing of the company's TIICM MANPADS technology after initial testing analysis proved encouraging to security officials. "The development and testing program was co-sponsored by the Air Force and the Department of Homeland Security and funded through an Air Force contract with SDI," the release said.

The aviation countermeasure technology was jointly developed with New Hampshire-based Sanders Design International.

Officials say the testing is expected to be completed in February.

"We are pleased that we will be able to complete this round of live-fire testing in February," FLT Chief Executive Officer William Cotton said in a statement. "We believe the results of the testing will provide the basis for moving ahead with the development of this technology into a functioning system."