8 February 2008: Flying High - on Viagra

The Israeli air force is considering giving its combat pilots Viagra to improve their performance -- in the air.

A recent study found a link between erectile dysfunction drugs and improved performance at high altitudes. The active ingredient in the drugs was found to make climbers perform better in an environment with less oxygen, and jet fighter pilots need to fly at altitudes of up to 50,000 feet; nearly twice the height of Mount Everest.

"Viagra is effective in these conditions because a shortage in oxygen leads to high blood pressure in the lungs, and the drugs fight that," according to military medical sources.

How they propose to deal with the other effects of the drug was not disclosed.