Source Codes (MOD)

watching news, what i dont get whats the point in having 8 helicopters
but not have the source code to fly them?

what makes the source codes so important on the helicopters in the first place,
i have a vage idea on why its needed on air craft but none really for helicopters

news.bbc.co.uk...

Is it not normal anyways to keep a certain number of aircraft in storage?

in reserve to account for losses etc

reply to post by maintainright


apparently these were grounded due to the source code
and not for storage

Its slightly more complex than that MP wants you to believe:

The major difficulty with the purchase arose when the MoD discovered that it had neglected to include in the contract a clause that would provide access to the source codes for the highly complex software. Without them, RAF specialists were unable to check whether the adapted helicopters passed Britain’s strict airworthiness criteria.

Boeing was reluctant to hand over the codes since no request had been made for them in drawing up the contract. So the RAF said that the Chinooks could not be flown except in the most clement weather. The sky had to be cloudless and the pilots would have to operate from at least 500ft so that they could navigate by landmarks

its a load of bolllocks really - someone needs to be fired for this mess - and boeing are laughing all the way to the bank.

edit:

this is also why theres such a big `to do` about the source codes on the F-35 - without them anyone who buys them is stuck to what the USA says you can use on it.

[edit on 5/3/09 by Harlequin]