A barrier system around runways at an Israeli airbase has reduced by 80 percent the damage to aircraft engines caused by foreign objects and debris.

The Airvrix system was invented by a former air force officer pilot and deployed at three airbases, the Israeli Air Force said.

"The FOD (foreign object damage) damages are large and expensive," said an unidentified Air Force reserve officer who established a company to produce the barriers. "Following much thought I understood that the solution was simple and practical.

"Most of the solutions offered today for FOD's are for discovery of the objects on the runway and not prevention. Our product is nearly the only product in the world that prevents FODs with a cheap and quick technique, and offers a solution in perimeters never seen before."

The easy to erect and disassemble barriers are flexible and collapsible, the former officer said. Additional information on them, however, was not disclosed.