"Cydrome Leader" wrote in message
...
Jim Wilkins wrote:

You start by defining the requirements, or rather debating them
until

Actual requirements are usually really hard to come by.
...

If they don't know what they want then you have a chance to tell them.
We've acquired some really great airplanes that way.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_P-38_Lightning
"Kelsey recalled in 1977 that he and Saville drew up the specification
using the word interceptor as a way to bypass the inflexible Army Air
Corps requirement for pursuit aircraft to carry no more than 500 lb
(227 kg) of armament including ammunition, as well as the restriction
of single-seat aircraft to one engine. Kelsey was looking for a
minimum of 1,000 lb (454 kg) of armament. Kelsey and Saville aimed to
get a more capable fighter, better at dog-fighting and at
high-altitude combat."

-jsw