SH,
Agreed. I think thats why people like BAE systems, Northrop Grumman and Lockheed are now DO rather than DA. The IPT do not hold sole responsibility for the aircraft though, thats what I'm getting at.
People like the release to service authority, QinetiQ and others all play an important role and the structure/organisation/responsibilies is a complex model.
I felt that PN made it sound as though the IPT are the only players responsible for the airworthiness of the ac.
I'm trying to keep it relatively simple for people not so familiar with the system