JTO
I accept Raytheon involvement is a given (or should be, but there are many examples of software upgrades not being given to the original supplier), but share the view that care must be exercised over who is driving or championing the programme. Industry tends to conveniently ignore MoD liabilities and dependencies until after the contract is signed.
Earlier it was mention Sentinel is within 3 years of the stated OSD, and that this is an upgrade (and change of use). That is a contradiction in terms. The 5 year rule prevents (or prevented) such upgrades within 5 years of OSD without Ministerial approval. The year on year 20% cut in funding as OSD approached largely prevented it anyway. To make such an announcement now, the decision to extend its life should already have been made and a new SOIU agreed long ago.