In isolation, the questions and answers mean little. When compared with other similar programmes however, they reveal unpalatable and embarrassing truths. I’m sure the monies wasted on Nimrod could have been put to use elsewhere.
So there you are JFZ90 & Headstone, the answer to your questions (at least you got one!) and from a man who knows. No one
AFAIK is knocking MRA4, but drawing attention to the decision making progress involved in that project, and many others. This country has the talent to do the undo able, like breaking the Nazi Enigma Codes, like creating an imaginary army in South East England poised to invade the Pas de Calais, like launching an 8000 mile counter invasion force to successfully liberate territory 400 miles off an enemy coast. But it is also capable of fiascos like the Millennium Dome, NHS computer projects, and coming shortly the 2012 Olympics (well just you wait and see!). Unfortunately the MOD appears to be well in the latter camp at the moment, with the honourable exceptions cited by Tucumseh the words P***-up and Brewery come to mind, and unlike Millennium Domes compromised aircraft can bite you!