PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Defence cuts 'led to MoD project cost rise'
Old 22nd Nov 2011, 12:13
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APG63
 
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Foxhunter!!! Actually, I think it looked good on paper, but the technology wasn't quite ready for the plan. But, again, a poorly written, cost-plus contract, awarded to the wrong company (because of previous naughtiness by the only competitor - milking Bloodhound, I think) with the MoD as prime contractor! Then the MoD wanted extra modes that it hadn't think to ask for: stern capability, combat modes, etc.

Was there a case of budget cuts causing the price to rise here? Maybe not initially, but once we struggled past B, W and Z list versions it all started to go horribly wrong. Rather than get it all sorted we "spread the cost" over numerous expensive upgrades, which cost a lot more in the long run. When you hear figures like 63% over-budget and 4 years late, that was only to a working, sub-spec radar in the jet. It took a lot more cash and a lot longer to get to Stage 2 (let alone beyond).

Hope I haven't gone off topic here!
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