Agreed, I am sure there was no conscious effort on their part, but I live in hope that the efforts you and others have put in have focussed some minds on what is important. Can't comment on MRA4, so won't, but will give the A400M team a chance to get it right, especially as the decisions not to do things were made several years ago and we cannot hang the present incumbants over decisions that seem crass with hindsight. The quote in Orac's quote suggests A400M will come with inerting and DAS capability (undefined), my concern remains over how many sets of DAS they are buying to support the aircraft- PR08 will reveal all.