ExRigger
In some circumstances you may have a point, but not here I'm afraid.
When MOD/RAF or whoever, goes out to industry for something new, they put out a specification. Irrespective of what that specification says or requires, the company will ALWAYS say 'Yes, we can do that, and it will cost you £XX' The company will always say that the spec' requested can be achieved, without any hesitation, fact.
It's not until you get further down the road, when things are getting a bit more difficult than the company first thought, that the excuses and requests for more money and more time arise.
It is a little bit more complex than that I accept, but in very simple terms that's pretty much how it works. Just take a look at ASTOR/Sentinel - need I say any more??
The fact is that I cannot remember any BWOS project that has not been horrendously overbudget and way overdue, and STILL not worked as the customer wanted! MRA4 will be no different, infact its already over budget and overdue!
TSM