Previous statements have been made along the lines that CH47 is faster and can fly higher than Merlin. How much faster, and how much higher?
Why is height and speed an advantage in the MASC role?
Also that the CH47 can carry more equipment and more crew than the Merlin. Surely it only needs to be able to carry the current equipment and number of crew.
The idea of a blimp or derrigible sounds interesting although must surely be more vulnerable when deployed.
By the way, CH47 may well pass the "Handmade in the West Country" test in future.
http://www.aviationtoday.com/rw/mili...lity/9001.html