D-IFFers, the further the RAAF A330MRTT progresses through development, the more expensive it will be to delete all the 'boom' items for a small handful of if, perhaps, maybe RAF FSTAs.
The biggest bolleaux of the FSTA PFI is that the scope wasn't capped at any defined level such as airframe leasing and second level maintenance. The bidders were encouraged to consider anything from in flight sandwiches to complete training solutions and 'full time reserve' aircrew. More properly termed 'mercenaries'......
Yes, ATP-56B is coming soon. But will the USN actually bother to read it this time? Or still insist on screwing up by doing things 'the Navy way'??