Re: Airbus A400M

["Eric Benson" <e_r_benson@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

> Well, the US has purchased prototypes and poured money
> into them as well. More famous is the tactic of
> waiting until the products are all out and then set
> the qualification tests so that the favoured (US) item
> wins...

Even better policy: convince your allies to adopt your ammunition, which
does not meet the tactical needs (short mid-power range suitable for
automatic weapons fire).  Develop your own rifle in-house to a ridiculous
and impossible set of specifications (which aren't met) (aka M-14).  Protest
when a commercial developer brings in the weapon you should have purchased.
Drag feet before adopting the rifle.  Change powders and don't issue
training statements like "it doens't need to be cleaned".  Wonder why there
are problems.  Get NATO to adopt a new standard.  Periodically re-examine.
Develop overpriced replacement (SPIW, ACR, etc.).  Repeat as neccessary.

No, the US would never do anything like that...