Hval
I think your point 4 is the clincher. However, doesn't that argument and
"Until the next totally revolutionary item comes along (like the jet engine, or wings, or computers) development is going to be costly"
suggest that revolution is exactly what is needed? Because incremental development over extended periods usually results in the loss of ability to revolutionise.
Not that I'm suggesting that LO was necessarily the right revolution to follow, or to the exclusion of other performance factors, mind. That's what DDG 1000 led to and it's b8llocks.
Last edited by Not_a_boffin; 3rd Oct 2012 at 21:50.