U.S. Refuses to Hand Over Fighter Source Code to UK

orbitalia writes "The UK is heavily involved in the JSF (Joint Strike Fighter program) but has recently considered abandoning the project because the US refuses to share the source code. The UK had intended to purchase $120 billion dollars worth of aircraft to operate on two new aircraft carriers, but is now seriously considering Plan 'B'. This is likely to be further investments in the Eurofighter Typhoon project." From the article: "It appeared that Tony Blair and George Bush had solved the impasse in May, when they announced an agreement in principle that the UK would be given access to the classified details on conditions of strict secrecy. The news was widely seen as evidence that the Prime Minister's close alliance with the American President did have benefits for Britain ... 'If the UK does not obtain the assurances it needs from the US then it should not sign the Memorandum of Understanding covering production, sustainment and follow-on development,' the MPs insisted."

Comments

The real meaning of Crash and Burn

[viking80]

Trying to force someone to share sourece code is always almost impossible. Even if they share it, it will probably be a different version, some modules will not have the same version as others, and you can never build a good image.

Just look at how well MS has "shared" their source as mandated.

Only when the producer genuinely tries to make it work is it possible, and even then often a challenge. I can only imagine trying set up a full (top secret)developmnent environment and to build a complete set of images for multiple proprietary, top secret targets.

And if there is a flaw in your build, you dont hang a PC, all your jets crash and burn.