Turkeyslapper (love the 'handle', by the way, but am unwilling to say what picture it brings to mind), while I don't doubt the Navy should wear some of the blame for not stating their case more forcefully than they appear to have done on this case, (and quite a few years ago), I think you'll find a few replies from people more in the know than I am saying that your comment laying the whole blame on the Navy isn't really accurate.
And that's been the nub of the problem in the procurement process for major projects in 'Phallus in Blunderland' (Russell Hill to the uniniated) for many years now.
The people who make these decisions involving billions of dollars all too often aren't the military men but instead, politicians and/or civilian 'experts' from DoD (or people who happen to wear a uniform but have never left Russell Hill in their military careers) who can override the operational military men.