It seems like we underestimated the capabilities of Flex. I’ve been ranting and raving about how Flex is going to change the way we use the web starting 2008. But I was grossly mistaken. Next time NATO orders a reconnaisance mission in a conflict zone, it will be Adobe’s Flex which will facilitate mission data and provide real time information across squadrons. Adobe issued a press release on the topic two weeks back.

Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq :ADBE) today announced that the E-3A department of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), with its headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, plans to adopt Adobe Flex software and Adobe LiveCycle Data Services ES for its new Mission Support System (MSS). The system will help improve NATO’s operational readiness, by reducing the time to prepare for missions, and improve the delivery of information to flight crew members.

Adobe Flex technology is an open source development framework for fast, end-to-end development of rich Internet applications (RIA) that run identically on all major browsers and operating systems. Applications developed with Flex provide a more visual and interactive user experience, helping users to more quickly and easily assimilate information. With Adobe LiveCycle Data Services, applications can be developed that automatically synchronize data between client and server, provide real-time data push and publish/subscribe messaging, and enable collaborative and occasionally disconnected applications.

By delivering the new system as an RIA, NATO crew members will be able to put together mission briefs aggregated from over 80 different data sources, including information such as flight numbers, details about the region and routes to take refuge in case of an emergency. Mission briefs are highly visual electronic maps that show all the information they need to analyze, develop and deliver in preparation for a mission.

“We are always looking for ways to improve our efficiency, but only invest in technology that has proven to be reliable”, said Steve Lusardi and Gerry Van Tol, project officers for NATO. “Adobe Flex is accepted worldwide and provides us with a new opportunity to automate the flight preparation process and save valuable time. It goes without saying that it is crucial for the NATO crew to have access to relevant information. The visual electronic maps present all the information in an intuitive manner which makes the MSS very user-friendly.”

The multi-million dollar agreement consists of software licences, support and consultancy.
About NATO

NATO is an alliance of 26 countries from North America and Europe. The fundamental role of NATO is to safeguard the freedom and security of its member countries by political and military means. A number of strategic forces and aircraft make up the fleet of AWACS within NATO. The E-3A Component of AWACS is the world’s only integrated, multi-national flying unit, providing rapid deployment, airborne surveillance, command, control and communication for NATO operations.