Originally Posted by
pr00ne
Heathrow Harry,
Except for the fact that the Buccaneer came nowhere near meeting the specification, so would have failed all the procurement requirements in the competition, so the RAF couldn't have "ordered them years before" owing to totally failing to meet, just as a few examples;
1. Mach 2+ at altitude.
2. Supersonic dash at low level over target
3. Rough field capability.
Indeed - but as they were happy to have them later the spec was clearly somewhat over ambitious in terms of affordability................ v similar to the US B-70 ... you reach for the stars but the bean counters can raise all sorts of road -blocks
PS why in on earth did we need rough field capability AND Mach 2+ AND supersonic lo dash??? Surprised they didn't add in 24 loiter capability and ASW as well....................