Nige/Blod
Yes, you are quite right that ESF is not a simple stick-on job, it takes time and specially trained engineers and, once fitted, it is not a 'fire-and-forget' solution.
However, the MoD should not be allowed to hide behind the cost of fitment - that is what I was trying to say - sorry, if it sounded otherwise.
Also, the USAF has had this stuff for so long they have ironed out the 'teething' problems . As a result, the OzAF have had no problems once the foam was fitted. This means that the MoD can't hide behind 'operational difficulties' either.
The only problem for us is that we had already committed to this latest deployment without arrangements to fit ESF; that was criminal and a decision the MoD may regret.