UK scrambles fighter jet after plane loses contact
LONDON (AP) — Britain's Ministry of Defense scrambled a Typhoon fighter jet Wednesday after an airplane lost contact with air traffic controllers.
The move comes amid heightened security in London, just two days ahead of the Olympics opening ceremony.
The ministry said the commercial aircraft did not enter restricted airspace over London, but had lost contact with air traffic control, prompting the launch of a Typhoon shortly after noon.
Communications were quickly restored and no further action was required, the ministry added.
Britain's Royal Air Force deploys Typhoon jets in response to a variety of problems. In April, two Typhoons were scrambled after a small civilian helicopter used an incorrect frequency and emitted an emergency signal.
Typhoons are also part of the Ministry of Defense's multi-tiered security plan for the upcoming games, which will also rely on thousands of troops, warships, surveillance aircraft and sniper-toting helicopters.
