You will no doubt recall that, a few years ago a DHL A300-B4 was hit by a MANPAD missile after leaving Baghdad. The missile did not hit the engines, it hit a wing tip. The outer tank caught fire and exploded; all 3 hydraulic systems were lost and the crew only managed to land with exceptional flying skill and differential thrust.
This is what the wing looked like after the landing:
If this wasn't a wake-up call to all who task large aircraft to fly into hostile areas, then what is. Surely the MoD had cause to think after this incident?
EVERY large aircraft, whether old, new or yet to come into service should have on-baord fuel tank inerting. I spoke to a bunch of Kwinty-Kwoo boffins after this event; they were pre-occupied with boffinry designed to decoy or jam missiles. None of which is any use if the missile actually hits...
Or a large calibre shell, for that matter.
nige - it might be interesting to ask whether MoD studied the DHL A300 incident - and if they didn't, why not?