 THE MoD's latest "spy in the sky" jet was given the seal of approval after making its maiden flight from a North Wales airfield. Defence bosses watched as the converted business plane soared to 17,000ft at 320knots above Hawarden airfield. The jet was part of the RAF's £800m Astor (airborne standoff radar) project, due to feed back up-to-the-minute detailed pictures from behind enemy lines. Linking into other Nato software, it transmits an image of the ground, showing buildings and bridges, and highlighting possible convoys and individual vehicles on the move. MoD chiefs say the system will cut battlefield deaths by tracking enemy movements. It was the first to roll out of the Raytheon Systems Ltd (RSL) plant at Broughton, which was given the contract to convert five Bombardier Global Express business jets. Renamed Sentinel R Mk I, the jet was taken up on its four-hour try-out by Raytheon UK Astor project test pilot Peter Collins and Squadron Leader Tim Butler. | 
