Pr00ne, Servus
Many thanks for your thoughts. It is clearly rght that the MoD couldn't grasp economics if they're lives depended on it. And it woud make sense to have single design, but I understood that FSTA is only going to provide 2 point tanking, with no cargo door, no UAARSI refueling receptacle, strengthened floor and cargo handling system of the KC-45A (let alone the boom).
So better phrased, how much extra would it cost HMG to have the KC-45A design (costs with / without boom most helpful) with RR engines rather than pax airliner wiht 2 x pods? Becuase only with information could you see whether the marginal cost of the additional capabilty was good or bad value for money. I suspect that it could be marginal, and though we only operate C-17s, E-3D and KC-45s with the boom, we could be in a position ot b much more flexible on coalition ops with those that prefer the boom.
Just my 0.02,
S41