Is it likely that more prototyping would have helped, for Collins submarine...

[supergrass207]

...computerization ? "The systems upon which I work are intentionally divided into components that have some independence. In that way the components can be developed on different time scales. The features needed first can be made available first and features are not required to be installed until they are needed. A physical system example was demonstrated in the Apollo missions. The lunar lander was not launched with early test flights. The lunar lander was not available for the early flights but it was available when it had to be and the moon landing happened and the total system performed.
If one waits until everything is completed before first use of a software application then it will never be used. Prototyping is a viable and useful method of developing systems." (terrific information supplied by "WHY"?)


Because the media kept saying the project was late, as if lateness was inevitable, but that doesn't wash.