Another year on, and nothing.
Are all eight really still sitting in a hangar at Boscombe (as 'File on Four' alleged on Monday)?
Are any of them regularly flying?
And more importantly, if the problem is UK MoD validation of software, does this imply that Boeing and the US DoD would have passed them 'fit to fly'?
If not, then they're plainly unfit for purpose, and Boeing should be punished (not awarded new Chinook support contracts, for example).
If they are, however, then is there even a possibility that our own validation standards are too high?
Is anyone suggesting that Boeing or the US Forces would have flown them happily.
I'm a huge admirer of Boscombe Down, but even I have to ask a difficult question.
There was a lot of talk about not clearing the Jag upgrade at one stage, with Boscombe Down expressing concerns over 'issues' that the frontline were 'easy' with.
Is there any possibility that frontline Chinook aircrew would be similarly relaxed about flying these aircraft?