Crab et al,
Unless things have changed, the role of the RTSA is equivocally not to mandate what goes on the aircraft. The platform Requirements Manager (aircrew type) is the custodian of what capability the aircraft has, and is responsible for corralling the relevant stakeholders to draft and endorse the URD/SRD. When the "trading" has happened and the kit purchased and mounted, the RTSA take the output of the ITEAP (V&V output, Safety Case and Boscombe flight test reports etc) and ensure the evidence points to the award of an RTS clearance. The role of the OEU is then to assure fitness for purpose. My increasing concern over the past decade has been the atrophy of such skills in the aircrew world, placing increased burden on others in the acquisition world. A career option for SQEP aircrew in acquisition / airworthiness would go an awful long way to solving our problems IMHO.....