"Bill Kapaun" wrote in message
...
In article , "Ed Majden"
wrote:



Since we rarely introduce new aircraft types in this era, the
manufacturers can't gamble as much on an innovative design. There may not
be another contract up for bid for quite a few more years if they fail.
Compare the # of models/year when the F-80-to F-106 were
introduced/tested.
The "pie" just doesn't have as many "slices" any more.
In the 50's, IF a manufacturer didn't win a contract, there were several
more up for the bidding.

Compare also the number of those aircraft that killed pilots
in testing and squadron service cause they had some bad
problems that werent worked out until the later variants
came along. This is no longer acceptable and is one of the
reasons it takes longer to develop aircraft today IMHO.

Keith