Not a Boffin,
Aye...SABR, FRC, FASH, now FML...
Spent most of the budget changing the letterheads!
FML=Future Medium Lift. In the Concept phase now I believe, given the "challenging" first deliveries in c2015.........
The Merlin Mk3/3A has a number of well-known issues vis-a-vis LitM, and, yes, at first sight the Italian version would be a better starting point than the current aircraft. However, it would need better engines, transmissions etc to make it fit for purpose. With Merlin looking like a favourite for MASC, and, if Flynx fails, as the SCMR stunt-double, the Logistical attraction of replacing the SK4+ with a Merlin variant is obvious.