Variable Load - I'm with you on that one - I don't think Bristows wanted to leave the SARH process but didn't have much choice as they were teamed up with AW. AW were banjaxed when the 12 base solution was stipulated making the EH101 too expensive - it only made economic sense if the numbers of bases could be reduced along with the numbers of airframes.
I think Bristows themselves would admit they made a huge mistake losing the interim contract and it would seem they are intent on pursuing the big one.