Chopper 2004,
Not strictly true.
AAR is also an important player in rapid long range self deployment. Although we do it at the moment with HNS and internal tanks, AAR would significantly speed up the process and make us less reliant on third parties.
Secondly, fitting internal tanks causes a proportionate loss of space/payload and can contribute to CoG issues. Also, the pwr required to do a take off v Cruise would seem to show that a heavily loaded helo could launch at a low fuel state and then tank-up once established in the cruise. So AAR can be claimed to have benefits outside JPR/CSAR (or whatever we're calling it this week).
At least no-one has suggested running a HDU off the ramp of a Chinook yet; Flying FARP anyone..?