NutLoose
For goodness sake don't tell MoD there is a cheaper more efficient way.
About 4 years ago a company replied to a Nimrod ITT for an R&D contract. They quietly mentioned, in private, that the R&D was unnecessary because the kit the IPT wanted had been in service since 1996, removed and replaced by an upgrade which far exceeded the Nimrod spec, and MoD owned the Intellectual Property Rights. The company had no vested interest whatsoever and even told MoD who would do the job.
The IPT lodged a formal complaint with the Managing Director along the lines of MoD is always right, butt out or don't expect future business. The R&D contract went ahead. Lord alone knows what was delivered. That's where the money goes folks.