Hear what you say, but the original plan for A400M was for just a handful of ac to get DAS and none to get fuel tank inerting. Laser IRCM is the gold standard at the moment, the RAF use it in a very effective way, nuff said here. You should aim to give the best possible protection that is out there.
Americans are looking at commercial fit DAS programs. Please remember that their military ac already have DAS protection along with fuel tank protection. It is fitted as standard, because it is essential. We will soon know for sure if XV230 was brought down by a fuel tank explosion. We can then evaluate Ainsworth's answer in the cold light of day.
XV179 BoI specifically referred to the A400M program when recommending the urgent review of fuel tank protection. Ainsworth and his chums will not get away with just fitting the plumbing. One would have thought they would know better. Please don't give the MoD the benefit of the doubt, the ministry does not deserve it.
When has it made sense to introduce a new ac with less protection than the one it replaces?
Last edited by nigegilb; 15th Oct 2007 at 14:24.