Crab - couldn't agree with you more. The MCA categorically stated at the outset of SAR Harmonisation that they would not accept a reduction in capability. Moreover, I believe any new civvy aircraft will have the technology to match anything in SAR now, civvy or mil. Its the experience of the crew that gets the most from this technology and is the essential factor in the maintenance of the capability. Undoubtedly, mil crews must be involved post-2012 to ensure this and it will generally be mil leading the civvy crews until the experience base evens out after some years. The outstanding questions are how many mil crews will there be and whose aircraft will they be flying?