What surprises me is
https://www.key.aero/article/raf-ada...3s-medical-use
According to the service, the aircraft – serials ZE707 (c/n E2188) and ZE708 (c/n E2211) – were “adapted to carry medical patients in record time and at no cost,” being able to “transport critically ill patients and RAF medical staff for the first time.” The project was conducted through the air arm’s Astra programme, which aims to encourage innovation across the RAF.
This has been an amazing achievement in all areas bringing together [No 32 (TR) [b]Squadron’s] residual capacity, [TMW’s] aeromedical evacuation (aeromed) capability and the design, production and engineering skills of [the] Joint Air Delivery Test [and] Evaluation Unit
This project embodies the very spirit of Astra, using existing military aircraft in a dual-hatted role and optimising use of key defence assets. TMW have never delivered aeromed on the BAe 146 in this manner before and it has been achieved at zero cost and in record time by smart use of pre-existing, available assets,” Bland added.
The engineering work was conducted by the JADTEU at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire. Within a fortnight of receiving the task, the unit had designed and produced a serviceable solution which then entered a prototype phase. The service states that the trials “determined the adaptations were suitable” for all forms of aeromed missions, including for use by the service’s Critical Care Air Support Team.
but it was particularly gratifying in this instance to be able to design, test and manufacture a solution
So this has been
designed, prototypes made, tested and produced, then finished articles, produced and tested... all
at NO COST? so they made them out of thin air? designed them without any input, tested them without any input and certified them all again with NO COST?? someones living in cloud cuckoo land....