KenV,
Just a question but who do you think came up with the one-size-fits-all, one-winner -takes-all concept next gen fighter, do you really believe that in a single client vs limited suppliers market, the suppliers have absolutely no say in the set-up of specs and ideas of entirely new fighter jet platforms ?
The Defence market is nothing like the free civil market with a number of suppliers going after contracts with a large number of potential buyers/clients
(I know I don't have to tell you this but for the sake of the argument...).
The idea that all this came out of the heads of some politicians without input from the defence contractors is just laughable IMHO.
Show me where LM beforehand ever stated that the whole idea of 1 size fits all is a bad idea and I'll gladly eat my words ,I've been wrong about more things before so I'm eagerly awaiting to be rectified.