Sir - The article "UK monetary constraints force RPMA cost rethink" (Flight International, 15-21 May, P6), on the Royal Air Force British Aerospace Nimrod MR2 replacement programme, highlights the need for manufacturers to improve control of development programmes. A factor, which can influence the time scale and cost of a development programme is that of the requirement specification.
If the purchasing authority continually revises the specification, then the manufacturer has little chance of maintaining his targets. In addition, the longer the time before the contract is given, the more money will be wasted by the competitors. In the example quoted, British Aerospace has already invested some £25 million ($38 million).
Clearly, some revision to the original specification is bound to occur, but, recently, almost every programme has incurred significant overspending, with the Eurofighter EF2000 providing a classic example.
Has the time come for the UK's Audit Office's powers to match those of the US General Accounting Office?
D F NEWLAND
Watford, Hertfordshire, UK
Source: Flight International