The problem we are facing is that the whole thing is somebody's empire and everyone has different objectives.
MASC could quite easily be achieved if managed correctly but Lockheed would need to be out of the plan as nut and sledgehammer spring to mind - just consider MSCP!
'SMART' does work but it can go very wrong very easily!
The Merlin platfrom is underdeveloped in many areas and there are engineers just waiting to give the RN the aircraft they want and need!