MRA4 slips right
AW&ST:
BAE Systems has been forced to further delay, by up to 12 months, first flight of its Nimrod MRA4 maritime patrol aircraft, provoking the Defense Ministry into a review of the impact of the latest problem on the $4.2-billion program.
The Nimrod MRA4 airframe remains stolidly attached to the ground despite BAE's efforts so far to achieve a first flight.
The company had been looking to fly the MRA4 by November or December. This in itself was almost a 12-month slippage on an intended January 2002 first flight. BAE now says that will not occur until the latter half of 2003. Some sources suggest late 2003 as the most likely........
Last edited by ORAC; 15th Oct 2002 at 19:52.