Well your statement about externals and lockgreed is undoubtably correct.
But the US forces have just done upgrade and they did it within their own structure.
About time this new breed of aces at LM, learnt who is the customer is and people getting ripped off by their excessive costs need to take a long hard look at what they are doing.
It is the RAF who did the in flight refueling from bits which I believe came off the Vulcan, and did it all in 6 weeks.
Tanks, come the need for wartime for operation could be on in days. The RAAF has tanks in reserve for just this need and they are the same tanks.
Regards
Col