RAF Eurofighter cannon news

Maybe this isn’t news to you, maybe this will just lead to a round of Eurofighter bashing, maybe you don’t care…;)

ITN is reporting that the RAFs new Eurofighter will be fitted with a ‘wing mounted cannon which was ditched to save £90m, but the jets flight controls actually rely on the ballast it provides’. Engineers tried substituting concrete and lead but decided it was actually cheaper to fit the cannon, although it will have no ammunition to fire.

How is it cheaper to fit a precision-made item into an aircraft? What is the price of the equivalent weight in concrete or lead?
If fitting the cannon is cheaper than ditching it (what is the profit mark up on the cost of a cannon?) is the MoD still saving £90m, and would it not just be easier to go the whole hog and have the beast working?
Will the cannon actually come from decommissioned Tornado – hence the cheapness?

You may now go to town with your flaming and/or constructive discussion (or whatever…).

Flood