Wg Cdr Spry
May I make one point about the most recent Air Clues? In both your foreword and that of IFS “Functional Safety” is mentioned. As Functional Safety begins many years before the RAF actually see the aircraft – in fact, often before DE&S even receive an endorsed requirement - is there not a danger those who are meant to be responsible through-life will now think the new RAF Safety Centre will do it all, and opt out? It is a continuous process, which requires a through-life commitment and resources; which since 1991 has not been MoD policy to provide (or even ask for). Requests are routinely turned down.
This is a very serious question. There have been many rulings over the years to the effect Functional Safety can be waived entirely. For example, this led directly to the Tornado/Patriot shootdown of March 2003. When pre-warned in 1998, DGAS2 (Fauset) told staff to wind it in, that he was content aircraft were being delivered functionally unsafe – a view repeated many times since and still the policy of DE&S at a higher level, with the MAA’s support. This was repeated to another 2 Star (XD5 Porter) in 2001; similarly, wind it in, don’t care. Tragically and frustratingly, it was then highlighted years later in the BoI report by the senior RO, Sir Brian Burridge, who directed that the practice be reinstated. He was ignored.
During the Mull of Kintyre campaign, when asked about Functional Safety (remember, the Chinook Mk2 was functionally unsafe), MoD (Adam Ingram) eventually conceded on 17th May 2007 there was no longer a requirement to do this in DPA (at the time of asking), but reassured MPs it was now done at MACD; which will presumably explain why RAF Swanton Morley grew to twice the size of Norwich to accommodate the necessary Rigs, equipment and aircraft, which before Alcock’s cuts in the early 90s used to be situated at 73 different companies - and that was just avionics. And much of the kit was owned by these companies, so one assumes Ingram approved possibly THE biggest procurement exercise in MoD’s history.
All balls of course.
I think you need to look at some of the detail here, and ask just who it is writes these briefings to Ministers, because they are militating against what you are trying to achieve. And their complete lack of corporate knowledge seems to have spread.