Ladajo,ladajo wrote: There are two key points to the whole topic;
1) There is no really good reason not to disclose the key numbers from WB7. If you release info about WB7, you can still protect the hard design changes in WB8.
2) If it is that important to keep it all secret, why not protect it the real way vice a round about way?
If you accept public dollars, you accept public scrutiny.
You know I have supported your FoI app, but had suggested alternative data requests. One reason is exemplefied by your number 1 above. You make assumptions that there are hard design changes in WB8 other than size. I remind you that all we have seen of this effort is a pretty plasma picture of WB7 which was an inconsequential change from WB6. However, WB7.1 may be quite different. Indeed, it may be quite different from WB7 and a simple scale change from WB8. Is it not possible that The reports that you have asked for set out in enough detail the changes (as a consideration in the WB7 report, a recommendation in the review report, an actuality in the WB7.1 report etc.) to reveal the data that make this thing viable? If such data is "published", i.e. released to the public, a clock may start ticking on patentability. Were I Dr. N, I wouldn't want to let that happen.
Would you consider dropping this app in favor of another that asks for pure and simple data charts, conditions vs neutron counts, etc? Dr. N. may be very willing to let such fundamental physical data out while being totally opposed to releasing reports that start clocks.
And by the way, the last statement is NOT true with the military as a general rule. They will have their secrets at times.