§ 112. Mr. Stodartasked the Minister of Technology why the Concorde production aircraft are to be fitted with a United States system of navigation equipment, in view of the fact that Ferranti were given the contract to provide this equipment for the prototypes.
§ Mr. J. P. W. MallalieuSince the Ferranti/Sagem navigation system was developed, two American equipments have been produced which are lighter and smaller. These equipments have the additional advantage of meeting the specification for such systems recommended by A.R.I.N.C. (Aeronautical Radio Inc.). A.R.I.N.C. is a United States association of airlines and equipment manufacturers in whose work non-United States manufacturers and airlines—including B.O.A.C. and B.E.A.—participate. In these circumstances B.A.C. and Sud Aviation, the Concorde airframe contractors, after discussion with the airlines, concluded that the Ferranti-Sagem system was unlikely to prove attractive to the customer airlines, and jointly recommended to the British and French Governments that equipment to the A.R.I.N.C. specification should be selected for the pre-production and subsequent production aircraft. The British and French Governments have given their joint approval to this recommendation