LBGR
Sadly, you are right. You would think that given a problem, with the solution STARING THEM IN THE FACE, someone, somewhere, would make the decision, end up with a nice warm glow and begin to re-establish everyones faith in the procurement system. You would think, wouldn't you?
However, to save 18.3p per airframe the MoD insisted that 2 split washers that would allow retrofitting of the pods be removed at the factory before delivery. Drive a hard bargain they did. The washers can be put back of course - but it means taking the entire wing off at £84.9 billion per cab.
